District courts are the courts of limited jurisdiction. There are two types of district courts:
1) State district courts and 2) Local district courts.
State District Courts
State district courts are served by full-time judges. State district courts exercise territorial jurisdiction within judicial districts established by the General Assembly. This jurisdiction may be city-wide, countywide, or may combine more than one county into a judicial district.
These courts have subject matter jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanors offenses, violations of state law and local ordinances, preliminary felony matters, and civil matters involving contracts, damage to personal property and recovery of personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000.00. Additionally, Supreme Court Administrative Order 18 provides that a state district court judge may be referred matters pending in circuit court including but not limited to protective orders, forcible entry, and detainer, unlawful detainer, and matters of an emergency or uncontested nature.
The small claims division provides a forum for citizens to represent themselves in matters involving contracts, damage to personal property and recovery of personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000.00. These cases are tried informally with relaxed rules of evidence.
As of July 1, 2019, thirty-two (32) State District Court Judicial Districts have been established covering fifty-four (54) counties. These state district courts are served by fifty-five (55) full-time state district court judges. Additional state district courts will be created in 2021 and 2025.
Local District Courts
Local district courts are served by part-time judges who may also engage in the practice of law. Local district courts exercise territorial jurisdiction within judicial districts established by the General Assembly. This jurisdiction may be city-wide or countywide.
These courts have subject matter jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanors offenses, violations of state law and local ordinances, preliminary felony matters and civil matters involving contracts, damage to personal property and recovery of personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000.00. A small claims division also exists in local district courts.
As of July 1, 2019, there are thirty-five (35) counties with local district courts. These local district courts are served by thirty-seven (37) part-time local district court judges.