Magistrate Court is a trial court with limited jurisdiction, handling matters from initial stages of criminal cases, certain minor offenses, various civil disputes, and more. It is often referred to as small claims court, with civil cases having a monetary limit of $15,000 and criminal cases typically involving less serious offenses. Also referred to as the “people’s court,” Magistrate Court is deemed more accessible to the public.
For more information regarding the ins-and-outs of Magistrate Courts, you can go to this website, which includes detailed information on how the Magistrate Court works.