Legal Definitions - limited jurisdiction

Limited jurisdiction describes a court's authority to hear and decide only specific types of legal cases. Unlike courts of 'general jurisdiction' which can handle a broad range of legal matters, a court with limited jurisdiction has its power restricted to particular subject areas, specific types of disputes, or cases involving certain laws. This specialization allows courts to develop expertise in complex areas and manage caseloads more efficiently.

• Example 1: State Traffic Court

  Imagine a driver receives a ticket for running a red light. This traffic violation would be heard in a municipal traffic court or a justice of the peace court. These courts are examples of limited jurisdiction because their authority is specifically confined to minor infractions like traffic offenses, parking violations, or sometimes petty misdemeanors. They do not have the power to hear a complex business contract dispute or a felony criminal case.

• Example 2: State Small Claims Court

  Consider a situation where a consumer bought a defective product, like a faulty lawnmower, and the store refuses to issue a refund. If the value of the lawnmower is, for instance, $400, the consumer might take the store to a small claims court. Small claims courts operate under limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear civil disputes where the amount of money or value of the property in question falls below a certain dollar limit (which varies by state) and often exclude certain complex legal issues. They cannot preside over a divorce proceeding or a major personal injury lawsuit.

• Example 3: Federal Bankruptcy Court

  A business facing severe financial difficulties decides to file for bankruptcy protection. This case would be exclusively handled by a federal bankruptcy court. This court exemplifies limited jurisdiction because its entire authority is dedicated solely to cases involving bankruptcy law, as defined by federal statutes. It cannot hear a case about a state-level property dispute, a child custody battle, or a criminal prosecution for theft.