Knowing which court to file a case with is essential for attaining legal justice. A court cannot hear a case if it does not have the proper jurisdiction. In general, most non-criminal cases are handled by the civil-courts system.

Identification

Civil courts are named so because they deal with non-violent offenses, or "civil" crimes, according to the Superior Court of California-Santa Clara County's website.

Types

Civil courts handle many different types of cases. The major cases heard by a civil court are divorce proceedings, contract disputes and personal injuries sustained from another person's actions, according to the North Carolina Court System's website.

Considerations

The civil courts usually have different levels for the scope of the cases being filed. While exact values vary from region to region, a "lower" civil court will hear small claims (often less than $5,000), another hears middle amounts (usually $5,000 to $25,000) and a third for excessively large claims, according to Superior Court of California-Santa Clara County's website.

Features

Civil cases are usually only heard by the judge himself, although certain cases warrant a jury. In many civil courts systems, you are not guaranteed the right to an attorney, so you must seek out legal counsel yourself.

Tips

The North Carolina Court System recommends that people wear formal attire or risk being thrown out of court. Know where to find your assigned courtroom and bring something to write with; any witnesses should know this information, too.

Source:

Superior Court of California-Santa Clara County; Introduction to Civil Cases

The North Caroline Court System; FAQ