About General Sessions Courts

General Sessions Court jurisdiction varies from county to county based on state laws and private acts. Every county is served by this court of limited jurisdiction, which hears both civil and criminal cases.

Civil jurisdiction is restricted to specific monetary limits and types of actions. Criminal jurisdiction is limited to preliminary hearings in felony cases and misdemeanor trials in which a defendant waives the right to a grand jury investigation and trial by jury in Circuit or Criminal Court.

General Sessions judges also serve as juvenile judges except in counties in which the legislature has established separate Juvenile Courts. General Sessions judges are elected to 8-year terms.