Criminal law can cover small items like your grass is too long, a parking ticket all the way up to serious crimes like rape and murder. The less serious crimes like speeding, shoplifting, public intoxication, minor drug offenses and some DUIs are heard in the Justice Courts. More serious crimes like repeated drug cases, DUIs, thefts, domestic violence can be heard in the District Court. While a first or second offense for drugs, DUIs, theft, domestic violence and others may start off in Justice Courts, with repeated offenses the possible penalties increase and so does the jurisdiction.
