Just as the State Supreme Court has been referred to as the court of last resort, the General Sessions Court has been called the court of first resort. The General Sessions Court is the first court, which most criminal and civil cases originate. For most citizens, it is the people’s court, which tends to be the court of first and last resort.
The primary function of the General Sessions Court is to ensure that the laws in the community are upheld and that justice is served.
The General Sessions Court deals with many different types of cases and litigants each week. On a weekly basis, a General Sessions Judge:
- Conducts criminal and civil hearings
- Issues criminal warrants
- Issues orders of protection
- Presides over traffic court
- Reviews probation
- Issues search warrants
- Sets bonds
- Issues writs for possession of property
