What jurisdiction do municipal courts primarily hold?

Municipal courts primarily handle cases that involve city ordinances and minor criminal matters. These courts are designed to address local governance issues, typically dealing with violations such as traffic offenses, noise complaints, and other minor infractions that pertain to municipal laws and regulations. The emphasis on local ordinances allows municipal courts to focus on maintaining public order within the specific jurisdiction of a city or town. Their capacity to address minor criminal matters also ensures that less serious offenses receive prompt and appropriate attention, facilitating community law enforcement while alleviating the caseload of higher courts dealing with more serious crimes.

In contrast, the other options pertain to jurisdiction areas that are beyond the scope of municipal courts. Federal law violations fall under federal jurisdiction and are managed by federal courts. High-profile criminal cases are typically handled in state or district courts, reflecting their complexity and the serious nature of the offenses. Lastly, while municipal courts may hear some civil cases, they do not encompass all civil cases in a state; those cases are usually reserved for other courts, such as district or circuit courts, which have broader jurisdiction.