Magistrate Court

Responsibilities
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Magistrate Court has criminal and civil jurisdictions.

The criminal jurisdiction responsibilities include:
  • Issuing of search and arrest 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, misdemeanor bad checks, criminal trespass, alcohol beverage violations involving persons under 21 years of age, shoplifting, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce
The civil jurisdictions responsibilities include: 
  • Presiding over trial and adjudication of civil claims for $15,000 or less, dispossessory, and distress warrant proceedings, and garnishments.
  1. Can I use self help to evict the tenant from the rental property without the commencement of a dispossessory?
  2. I am the defendant and have been served with a lawsuit, what do I need to do?
  3. I am the judgment creditor and my judgment has been paid, what do I need to do?
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