Changes

*an intermediate [[appellate court]]; and

*an intermediate [[appellate court]]; and

*a [[state supreme court]].

*a [[state supreme court]].

However, there is a trend toward consolidation of the first two levels into a single level of trial courts.

Traditionally, the trial court of limited jurisdiction has handled traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and civil lawsuits seeking damages up to a certain amount, while the trial court of general jurisdiction has handled felonies, civil lawsuits seeking damages above a certain amount, and (in states not having separate courts of equity) cases seeking [[equity|equitable]] relief.  However, there is a trend toward consolidation of the first two levels into a single level of trial courts.

Typically, all state courts except the trial court of limited jurisdiction are courts of record.  In states where the lower-level trial court is not a court of record, when a decision of such a court is appealed to the higher-level trial court, the higher-level trial court hears the matter ''[[de novo]],'' as there is no record on which to base an appeal.

Typically, all state courts except the trial court of limited jurisdiction are courts of record.  In states where the lower-level trial court is not a court of record, when a decision of such a court is appealed to the higher-level trial court, the higher-level trial court hears the matter ''[[de novo]],'' as there is no record on which to base an appeal.