General District Courts can only hear certain types of cases such as small claims (disputes involving up to $5,000), minor misdemeanor offenses and traffic infractions. The General District Court decides all criminal offenses involving ordinances, laws, and by-laws of the county or city where it is located and all misdemeanors under state law. A misdemeanor is any charge which carries a penalty of no more than one year in jail or a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

The General District Court decides civil cases in which the disputed amount does not exceed $15,000. Civil cases vary from suits for damages sustained in automobile accidents to suits by creditors to receive payment on past due debts. 

The General District Court also holds preliminary hearings in felony cases, that is, any charge which may be punishable by more than one year in jail. These hearings are held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify holding the defendant for a grand jury hearing in Circuit Court.

Any person or organization may use the General District Court. A person under 18 can use this court if a parent or guardian acts as the “next friend.”

There are no juries in General District Court. The judge decides the case based on the law and what the judge sees as the real facts in the case. 

The decision of the General District Court may be appealed to the Circuit Court.