What Is District Court?

District Court has broad criminal and civil jurisdiction. In criminal cases, they hold probable cause hearings, which can result in a bind-over to a grand jury; non-jury trials for misdemeanors and some other criminal prosecution; and six person jury trials.

Civil jurisdiction includes trial of direct civil entries and cases remanded from the Superior Court; appeals from government agencies, including the Division of Employment Security and local zoning boards; actions under the spousal abuse statue and for reciprocal support enforcement; small claims; summary process (eviction); decriminalized traffic offenses; and petitions for the compensation of victims of violent crime. Six-person de novo trials are held upon defendant's appeal in a small claim actions.