View Full Version : What is the difference between circuit court and district court?
JazzyDee
Mar 21, 2012, 12:45 PM
I was asking cause a friend is in jail but the number gave me to call was wrong they told me he had to go to the other court so I had to call that number.just want to know the difference.does this mean they trying to send him back down the road.
JazzyDee
Mar 22, 2012, 09:42 AM
What is the difference between circuit court and district court?
excon
Mar 22, 2012, 09:57 AM
Hello J:
Probably NOTHING.. It depends on where you live. But, from a practical standpoint, there's NO difference.
excon
JudyKayTee
Mar 22, 2012, 12:11 PM
Where are you?
Is this related to your question about sex offender status?
It varies a little bit by State.
JudyKayTee
Mar 22, 2012, 12:11 PM
Again - where?
JazzyDee
Mar 22, 2012, 12:14 PM
OK Thank you.Cause I was told one court is higher than the other.Thats why I was asking?
JudyKayTee
Mar 22, 2012, 12:27 PM
Where? Without the location I don't know.
District Court CAN be Federal Court.
AK lawyer
Mar 22, 2012, 02:13 PM
Different states have different systems of courts. We would have to know which state you are in to answer, assuming it's state court you are talking about. "In Florida, the Florida District Courts of Appeal are intermediate appellate courts. In Texas, the Texas District Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction, hearing all felony and divorce cases, election controversies, and many civil matters. The Hawaii State District Courts, Alaska District Courts, and Kentucky District Courts, to name a few, are courts of limited jurisdiction." (edit: I just took the opportunty to edit the Wikipedia article.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_court#United_States
On the other hand, the federal court system has courts with those names. Each state has at least one US District Court. Some have several. And there are circuit courts of appeal.
AK lawyer
Mar 22, 2012, 02:25 PM
I just answered this question in another thread. I think the threads need to be combined.
JazzyDee
Mar 23, 2012, 05:13 AM
It's in Alabama and no it has nothing to do with that.But it is the same person just a separate charge.He's been got out for that.
Jokkun
Apr 14, 2012, 12:02 AM
In Alabama: District Courts hear common, minor cases (usually Small Claims, Juvenile, or misdemeanors). They may also hold Hearings for Circuit Court cases. Typically each County has a District Court.
Circuit Courts hear more serious cases (typically felonies) and larger civil cases. There is a set number of Circuits in Alabama and one can cover multiple small counties or a few (possibly one as with Jefferson, I believe) large counties.