District Courts

/ˈdɪstrɪkt kɔrts/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Trial courts of general jurisdiction within a federal or state judicial system, typically handling civil and criminal cases at the first instance.
    The plaintiff filed the lawsuit in one of the district courts to seek damages.

Forms

  • district courts
  • district court

Commentary

In U.S. federal law, 'District Courts' are the primary trial courts; in some states, the term may refer to courts with limited jurisdiction—context is key.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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