Each state’s constitution and laws establish the state’s courts, which interpret state laws (and generally not federal laws). A court of last resort, often known as a supreme court, is usually the highest court in the state. Some states also have an intermediate court of appeals. Below these intermediate courts of appeal are the state trial courts, where most lawsuits begin. State trial courts are referred to differently in different states—often as district courts, circuit courts, or superior courts.

State courts are often courts of general jurisdiction—meaning they hear all types of cases—involving criminal law, family law, probate law, and general disputes involving money and property. But more populated counties often have courts of specific jurisdiction, such as family courts that only hear family law matters (divorce, child custody, child support); criminal courts that only hear criminal matters; and probate courts that only handle the probate of estates and related litigation.

In Indiana, the judicial system is structured with the Indiana Supreme Court at its apex, serving as the court of last resort. Below the Supreme Court is the Indiana Court of Appeals, which is an intermediate appellate court. These appellate courts review decisions from the trial courts, which are the starting point for most legal cases in the state. Indiana's trial courts are known as circuit courts, superior courts, and city or town courts, depending on their jurisdiction and the size of the area they serve. Circuit and superior courts are courts of general jurisdiction and handle a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. In more populous areas, there may be specialized courts dedicated to specific areas of law, such as family law or criminal law. These specialized courts are designed to handle cases more efficiently by focusing on a particular legal area. The Indiana judicial system is designed to ensure that there is a clear hierarchy for appeals and that specialized courts can provide expertise in their respective areas of law.