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Friday, April 27, 2018

The New Hampshire Circuit Court District Division is the "community court" of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, made up of one circuit for each County and is located in 36 cities and towns. The District Division has jurisdiction over all juvenile matters, domestic violence cases, violation and misdemeanor level offenses, small claims, landlord-tenant issues and other civil cases. Upon the creation of the District Court in 1963, the state Municipal Courts were effectively abolished . On July 1, 2011, the New Hampshire Circuit Court was created and consolidated the District Courts with the Probate Court and Family Division.

Jurisdiction




Future of NH Courts - Big changes are coming to New Hampshire courts. Starting July 1, the district, probate and family courts will be combined into circuit courts that will handle more than 95% of all cases. The...

The District Division has jurisdiction in the following matters:

  • Misdemeanor and criminal offenses
  • Civil cases in which the damages claimed, excluding real estate titles, not exceeding $1,500
  • The court shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court over civil actions for damages in which the damages claimed, excluding real estate titles, do not exceed $25,000 (this ceiling can be increased to $50,000 as permitted by the state Supreme Court).
  • The court shares jurisdiction over domestic violence cases with the Superior Court.

Organization


Greg Muller Memo of Law
Greg Muller Memo of Law. Source : www.scribd.com

The District Division has 36 courts located in 34 districts. The locations of the court were devised by the legislature so that each District Court would be within 20 miles of the inhabitants of each district. The District Division has 19 full-time judges and 50 part-time judges.

Appointment

Part II, Article 46 of the state constitution, states all judicial officers shall be nominated and appointed by the Governor and Executive Council. It also states that such nominations shall be made at least three days prior to such appointment and no such appointment shall take place unless a majority of the council agrees.

Length of Tenure

All judicial officers hold their offices during "good behavior," according to Part II, Article 73 of the state constitution. Part II Article 78 of the state constitution requires Judges retire at the age of seventy years.

Salary

The salaries of the District Division judges and other state judges are set by the General Court. In the District Court salaries are weighted based on the caseload of the court from the previous year. Associate judges also receive a weighted salary, but can make no more than 70% of a District Division judge.

History


State v. Percy, Brief for the State, New Hampshire Supreme Court ...
State v. Percy, Brief for the State, New Hampshire Supreme Court .... Source : www.scribd.com

In 1963, district courts were created by the legislature to replace the existing municipal courts. RSA 502-A:35, effective July 1, 1964, abolished all Municipal Courts, unless cities and towns voted by ballot to "continue to maintain its existing municipal court so long as its present judge remains in office." The law required that once there was a vacancy on the Municipal Court judge, it could not be filled and that court would be abolished and its jurisdiction transferred to the appropriate District Court.

See also


Judge says cash bail for poor needs reconsideration | New Hampshire
Judge says cash bail for poor needs reconsideration | New Hampshire. Source : www.unionleader.com

  • List of New Hampshire state courts by town

External links


Courts and cases USA (Lexadin)
Courts and cases USA (Lexadin). Source : www.lexadin.nl

  • Official Website
  • NEW CIRCUIT COURT BEGINS OPERATIONS JULY 1 RESTRUCTURING SUPPORTED BY GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE

Lebanon, NH
Lebanon, NH. Source : lebanonnh.gov

 
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