Courts in Kentucky
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The Courts in Kentucky consist of the state court system and four federal courts.
Appellate Courts
The Supreme Court is the court of last resort. All appeals involving imprisonment for 20 years or more, life imprisonment, or the death penalty go directly to the Supreme Court; all other appeals are heard by the lower courts, and are only permitted to be heard by the Supreme Court if the Court of Appeals consents
The Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in the state.[1] The Kentucky Court of Appeals hears appeals from District and Circuit Courts.
Trial Courts
The Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state. There are 57 Circuit Courts and 95 Circuit judges in Kentucky. Each court represents 1 to 4 counties.[2] These courts have jurisdiction over capital offenses, felonies, land disputes, contested probates of wills, and general civil litigation in disputes involving more than $4,000. They can also hear appeals from district courts and administrative agencies.
The Kentucky Family Court is a division of the Circuit Courts.[3]
There are 60 District Courts and 116 District judges in Kentucky. These courts hear cases regarding juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, probate of wills, felony preliminary hearings, small claims, civil cases involving $4,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments, and domestic violence and abuse. [1]
Non-judicial "courts"
The Kentucky Fiscal Courts are courts in name only and not part of the judicial branch. These courts serve as the governing body of each county and are presided over by a County Judge, who functions as a county executive. [4]
Federal courts
There are four federal courts in Kentucky:
- Eastern District of Kentucky
- Western District of Kentucky
- Eastern District of Kentucky, bankruptcy
- Western District of Kentucky, bankruptcy[5]
Appeals from these courts go to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
External links
References
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