What limitation is placed on the jurisdiction of District Courts?

District Courts in Arkansas are designed to handle specific types of cases, which is reflected in their limitation of jurisdiction. They are equipped to manage misdemeanors, which are less severe offenses typically carrying lighter penalties than felonies, and civil cases that involve disputes with claims of $25,000 or less. This jurisdictional limitation ensures that District Courts serve as a venue for relatively minor legal issues, allowing for quicker resolutions and reducing the burden on higher courts, such as Circuit Courts.

This structured approach helps streamline the judicial process by allowing lower-level disputes to be handled efficiently at the District Court level, preserving more complex cases for Circuit Courts that deal with larger claims and felonies.