Circuit Court

A circuit court is a state or federal court that hears criminal and civil trial cases. Tort (personal injury), contract, and real estate cases are usually heard by the circuit court when they involve a certain amount of money. The circuit court is also responsible for hearing criminal cases such as those involving misdemeanors, felonies, DUI/DWI’s, and various other criminal offenses.

Defendants usually have a right to a jury trial in a circuit court. The circuit court system in some states possesses some appellate function, though states typically have a different court to handle appeals.

The circuit court typically has jurisdiction over juvenile cases, though some states have a separate court to handle these cases. As a general rule, the circuit court system holds jury trials.

State Circuit Courts

In general, all states have a circuit court system or something similar to a circuit court system. The number of circuit courts in a particular state depends on size, population, and demarcation of counties in the state.

States that do not have a circuit court system have a similar system, usually called a district court or superior court system, though it may be called something else. Some states break down the function of a circuit court into different courts.

A state circuit court will typically hear civil cases involving certain amounts of money and those involving certain criminal offenses or violations.

Federal Circuit Court

The federal circuit court system makes up the Court of Appeals, the intermediate level of the federal court system. The twelve federal circuit courts are strictly appellate in function and do not have original jurisdiction over cases.

In the federal court system, the circuit court serves a different function. The federal system is comprised of three tiers: 94 district courts (with authority similar to a state circuit court), 12 regional circuits (plus one in D.C) of the Court of Appeals, and one Supreme Court. The federal circuit court system is responsible for hearing appeals from the federal district courts. They may also hear specialized cases.

The Circuit Court Judge

The chief judge of a circuit court holds authority over the all other judges and courts within their jurisdiction and answers only to the state’s Supreme Court judge. Circuit court judges usually gain their title through public election. The average term for a circuit court judge is six years.

Charged with a Criminal Offense?

When you have been charged with a criminal offense for violating state law, your case will go to the circuit court, which presides over cases in your geographical area.

If you have been charged with a federal crime your case will enter the federal district court. A professional and experienced attorney has intimate working knowledge of the circuit court that will hear your case. This knowledge can be highly valuable in a criminal case. If you would like to learn more about the circuit court system, please contact us to speak with a qualified attorney in your area.