Magistrate Courts have jurisdiction over all offenses where punishments do not exceed fines of $500 plus assessments and court costs or imprisonment of 30 days or both. Magistrate Court also conducts Preliminary Hearings. Magistrates have the authority to issue arrest warrants and search warrants. Some common types of criminal cases heard in Magistrate Court include:
- Assault and battery
- Check law violation
- Criminal domestic violence
- Littering
- Petit larceny
- Simple possession of marijuana