The District Courts have general jurisdiction over legal disputes. These courts hear criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters. The District Courts in Clark and Washoe counties have dedicated family division judges. District Courts also hear appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts.
The Justice Courts only hear civil and criminal matters delegated to them in the Nevada Revised Statutes. Justice Court judges are called Justices of the Peace, who preside over non-traffic misdemeanors, small claims, summary eviction, temporary protection, and traffic cases. They also decide whether felony or gross misdemeanor cases have enough evidence to be bound over to a District Court for trial.
The Municipal Courts hear matters involving violations of city ordinances, non-traffic misdemeanors, traffic violations, and in some cities, parking violations. They also hear some civil matters.
