State court (United States) facts for kids

A municipal court is a special kind of court that mostly handles legal issues for one city or town. Think of it as a local court! It has "limited jurisdiction", which means it can only make decisions about certain types of laws and people.

Most often, these courts deal with things that happen within a city's borders. For example, they might handle traffic tickets, cases about leash laws (rules for pets), or problems with building codes (rules for how buildings are made). Sometimes, municipal courts might even start the process for bigger cases that will later go to a higher court.

Municipal Courts in Mississippi

In Mississippi, municipal courts are called "Judge Alone" courts. This means that only a judge hears the cases and makes decisions. People who are accused of breaking a law in these courts do not have a right to a jury trial.

For very serious crimes, called felonies, the municipal court in Mississippi holds a first hearing. After this, the case is sent to a grand jury for the state. These courts do not keep detailed records of every word said. Instead, their cases are summarized in a list called a docket.

Municipal Courts in North Carolina

North Carolina does not have separate municipal court buildings. All court cases, even those from cities, are handled at the county level.

For example, if you get a speeding ticket in a city, the case will automatically go to the main court in that county. This happens even if the ticket was given in a small town or an area without a city government.

Some counties are very large. For instance, Chatham County has a second courtroom in Siler City, in addition to the main one in Pittsboro. In counties with many big cities, like Guilford County, court cases are heard in both Greensboro and High Point.

It's important to know that traffic tickets on military bases are handled by federal courts, not by these local civilian courts.