Jurisdiction

The Magistrate Court has criminal and civil jurisdictions.

Criminal Jurisdiction

The criminal jurisdiction responsibilities include issuing arrest and search warrants as well as good behavior bonds, conducting first appearance, bond, extradition, committal, and warrant application hearings, presiding over and conducting trials for county ordinance violations and misdemeanor bad checks along with certain other misdemeanors as specified by statute.

Small Claims/Civil Jurisdiction

The civil jurisdiction responsibilities include the trial and adjudication of civil claims of $15,000 or less, dispossessory and distress proceedings ($15,000 limitation does not apply to dispossessory actions), garnishments and personal property foreclosures.