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 Michigan, the judicial system is structured with the Michigan Supreme Court serving as the court of last resort. Below the Supreme Court is the Michigan Court of Appeals, which is an intermediate appellate court. The trial-level courts in Michigan are primarily the Circuit Courts, which have general jurisdiction over criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and equity proceedings. Additionally, Michigan has District Courts that handle misdemeanors, initial felony proceedings, small claims, and civil disputes with lower monetary amounts. Probate Courts in Michigan deal with matters such as wills, estates, and guardianships. Some counties may have specialized courts, such as family courts within the Circuit Court system, that focus exclusively on family-related legal issues. These courts operate under the Michigan Constitution and state laws, and they primarily interpret and apply state law, rather than federal law.