municipal court

noun

1. a court whose jurisdiction is confined to a city or municipality, with criminal jurisdiction usually corresponding to that of a police court and civil jurisdiction over small causes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of municipal court¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Rivera’s criminal charges were downgraded to low-level “disorderly person” offenses and sent to municipal court for resolution.

From ProPublica

But when this same chamber serves as Ferguson Municipal Court, a disproportionate number of the defendants are black.

From The Daily Beast

The Ferguson municipal court canceled its August sessions because of the turmoil, but it is expected to resume in September.

From The Daily Beast

Castro, who appeared in a Cleveland municipal court,  was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape.

From The Daily Beast

Castro was arraigned this morning in a Cleveland Municipal Court and is being held on bond for $2 million in each case.

From The Daily Beast

The municipal court also held its sessions in the building, and it afforded room for the post office and county clerk's office.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a loud hue and cry raised against the idea as administered recently by one of our Municipal Court Judges.

From Project Gutenberg

"Then you are bound over to the municipal court under bonds of $5,000," said the court.

From Project Gutenberg

The judiciary powers are vested in a supreme and circuit court, together with a municipal court called the parish court.

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner they repaired to the court room where Joseph was delivered to the municipal court for trial.

From Project Gutenberg