General Jurisdiction of District Courts includes which?

• A. Misdemeanor trials and civil infractions
• B. Appeals from magistrate rulings
• C. Signing of warrants only for arrest
• D. No arraignments

Answer: (A)

General jurisdiction means the district court serves as the standard trial forum for a broad range of cases, especially less serious criminal offenses and civil matters. Misdemeanor trials and civil infractions are the types of cases normally heard at this level because they fall under the general, everyday function of trying cases and resolving disputes in court.

The other options relate to duties outside the district court’s general trial role. Appeals from magistrate rulings are an appellate function, not a trial, and are typically heard by a higher court. Signing warrants for arrest is a pretrial authority exercised by judges or magistrates, not a trial of cases. Arraignments are pretrial appearances to inform the defendant of charges, not the trial itself.

So the district courts’ general jurisdiction includes misdemeanor trials and civil infractions.