Indiana Court Types

Circuit Courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but generally only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by Circuit Courts include all types of felonies and lesser-included offenses. In counties without Superior Courts or County Courts, Circuit Courts will also handle misdemeanors and ordinance violations.

Civil cases heard by Circuit Courts include general civil claims beyond the jurisdiction or capacity of other courts. In counties without Superior Courts or County Courts, Circuit Courts will also handle small claims cases.

Circuit Courts handle most domestic relations cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity and domestic violence protection orders.

Circuit Courts handle most juvenile matters and share some jurisdiction with Superior Courts over juvenile cases including juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights. Circuit Courts also share jurisdiction with Superior Courts over mental health cases and probate matters.

Superior Courts exercise general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases, but jurisdiction varies by county.

Criminal cases heard by Superior Courts include felonies and misdemeanors. In counties without County Courts, Superior Courts will also handle ordinance violations.

Civil cases heard by Superior Courts include general civil claims. In counties without County Courts, Superior Courts will also handle small claims cases.

Superior Courts share jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over most juvenile, mental health and probate cases.

County Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases, but jurisdiction varies by county.

Criminal cases generally handled by County Courts include felony preliminary hearings, Class D felonies, misdemeanors, ordinance violations and infractions.

Civil cases heard by County Courts include some general civil claims for less than $10,000 and landlord-tenant eviction cases. County Courts may have a Small Claims division.

County Courts do not have jurisdiction over cases that request injunctive relief, partition of real estate, actions to declare or enforce liens, paternity, juvenile matters, probate matters, appointment of receivership and the dissolution of marriage.

Most County Courts have been converted into Superior Courts, with the exception of County Courts in Floyd, Madison and Montgomery counties.

City Courts and Town Courts have limited jurisdiction that varies by court.

Generally, a City Court or Town Court has jurisdiction to hear all city or town ordinance violations, infractions and some misdemeanor criminal cases.

City and Town Courts may have some jurisdiction over certain civil cases within limits on the amount of money in dispute.

City and Town Courts are prohibited from handling certain types of cases, including slander, libel, foreclosures where the title to real estate is in dispute, most probate matters, equity, dissolution of marriage, injunctive relief, and other cases that involve questions of the title to real estate.

The Indiana Tax Court handles statewide cases and operates out of a central office in Indianapolis. The Tax Court has exclusive jurisdiction over cases that arise under the tax laws, including appeals of tax decisions made by various state agencies.

Marion County townships have Small Claims Courts with limited jurisdiction over most civil cases that involve less than $6,000 in dispute, including landlord-tenant cases and other types of general civil claims.

St. Joseph County has a separate Probate Court that shares jurisdiction with Circuit Court and Superior Court over estates, protected persons and trust administration.

The St. Joseph County Probate Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over adoptions, juvenile delinquency, child protection and paternity cases.