•What kind of work does each type of State court do?
•What are the different ways that State judges are selected?
Organization of State Courts
•Justices of the peace preside over minor offenses in rural areas.
•Magistrates handle minor civil complaints in urban areas.
•Municipal courts hear civil cases involving several thousands of dollars and misdemeanors.
•Juvenile courts decide cases for individuals under 18 years of age.
•General trial courts try the more important civil and criminal cases.
•Intermediate appellate courts are courts of appeal between trial courts and the State’s supreme court.
•State supreme courts review the decisions of lower courts.
•Unified court systems are based on geographic area and cover all areas of the law.
Selection of Judges
Most often, judges are selected by:
•Popular vote, (Ohio votes on Judges)
•Governor appointment, or
•Legislative appointment.