4 levels
1. Supreme
2. Appellate
3. Superior
4. District
A. District Courts
4 categories
1. civil = divorce, custody,
child support, civil cases < $10,000
2. criminal = misdemeanors/infractions;
no jury = judge decides
3. juvenile
4. magistrate = evictions;
accept guilty pleas and payment of fines for traffic infractions and misdemeanors
a. magistrates preside over small claims court (cases less than $4,000)
b. magistrates are chosen by the senior superior court judge for that district
and serve 2 year terms.
c. they may also issue warrants (search & arrest)
5. District court judges
are elected by voters and serve 8 year terms
B. Superior Court
1. felony cases; civil cases
> $10,000; cases appealed from district courts
2. jury decides outcome
3. # of judges per district
is set by state legislature
a. population
b. crime rate & case volume
4. state constitution requires
superior court judges to “ride the circuit” & rotate from one district
to another every six months
a. Pros:
1. prevent favoritism & personal relationships w/ lawyers
b. Cons:
1. travel expense (billed to state)
2. lawyers “shop” for judges
3. more than 1 judge may hear part of a case
5. Judges are elected
by voters and serve 8 year terms
C. Appellate Court
1. hears all appeals from
Superior Courts except death penalty cases
2. 15 judges serve in rotating
panels of three
3. judges are elected by
voters and serve 8 year terms
4. if there is a dissent
in a case, it goes to the state Supreme Court for review
D. Supreme Court
1. 1 chief justice &
6 associate justices
2. hears appeals from appellate
court, except for death penalty cases (they bypass the appellate courts)
3. judges are elected by
voters and serve 8 year terms