I assume you want to know which Court a criminal case is processed in, first?
Usually it's the Municipal Court in the City the crime took place, and regardless of whether it is a felony or misdemeanor charge.
Misdemeanor charges are processed (stay) in the Municipal Court and felonies are bound over (transferred) to and processed in Common Pleas Criminal Court (State Court).
Courts that have the authority to be the first courts in which most federal cases are heard are known as district courts. These are the trial courts of the federal judiciary system and are responsible for hearing both civil and criminal cases.
In 2010, a total of 361,323 cases were filed in US District Courts; of those, 78,428, or 21.7%, were criminal cases and 282,895, or 78.3%, were civil cases. There were 55,992 appeals filed in the US Court of Appeals Circuit Courts.
Yes. US District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. They hear civil and criminal cases that involve federal and constitutional law and US treaties, provided the case doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of one of the US Special Courts (bankruptcy, tax, etc.).
The first court to hear both criminal and civil cases is typically a trial court, often referred to as a district court or circuit court, depending on the jurisdiction. These courts have general jurisdiction, meaning they can hear a wide range of cases, including serious criminal offenses and various civil disputes. They serve as the initial venue for legal proceedings before any appeals may be made to higher courts.
Magistrate courts typically handle minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims cases, and issuance of search warrants and arrest warrants. They often serve as the first-level courts in the legal system and help alleviate the caseload of higher courts.
In the United States the lower courts are trial courts: the courts that first hear or try cases both civil and criminal. The decisions in lower courts can be appealed to higher courts.
In Houston, the intermediate appellate courts are the First Court of Appeals and the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. These courts handle appeals from trial courts in a variety of civil and criminal cases. They review decisions to ensure that the law was applied correctly, and their rulings can be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, depending on the case type.
County courts typically handle a variety of cases, including civil disputes, family law matters, criminal cases, and small claims. They may address issues such as divorce, child custody, property disputes, and misdemeanors. Additionally, county courts often serve as the first level of appeal for certain cases from lower courts or administrative agencies. Their jurisdiction can vary by state, so the specific types of cases may differ accordingly.
Justice courts typically handle minor civil and criminal cases, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. They often serve as a first level of the judicial system, addressing cases involving lower monetary amounts and less severe offenses. Additionally, justice courts may deal with preliminary hearings in criminal cases and certain administrative matters. Their primary role is to provide accessible and efficient resolution of disputes at the local level.
The US District Courts
Lower courts are where cases are initially started. If they are appealed, they are taken to higher courts.
It depends where the district court is. Many states have courts that they call "district courts" but what a district court is responsible for varies state to state. Fortunately, many courts now have website where you can look up information about the court, including what kind of cases it handles.