Every city judge must hold a term or session every month except July or August, in either of which the court term may be omitted—­ that is, not held.

Cities of the first class are such as contain more than 10,000 inhabitants.  All other cities are termed cities of the second class.

The Constitution requires the maintenance of city or corporation courts in all cities of the first class, but provides for the discontinuance of independent city courts in all cities of the second class whenever the people vote in favor of their abolition.

Upon the abolition of the corporation court in any city of the second class, the circuit courts of the circuit in which the city is located will arrange to hold regular terms in such city the same as in cities of the first class.

Within their respective limits—­that is, each in its own city—­ the corporation courts have the same jurisdiction as the circuit courts.  This means that they have power to try the same kind of offences as may be tried in the circuit courts.

Justices’ courts.

Held by a justice of the peace; in the cities, by the mayor or police justice.

The judge who sits in & justice’s court is called a justice of the peace, or simply a justice, and sometimes a police justice.  Justices’ courts and police courts are the courts in which generally all offences and cases not of a serious nature are tried and disposed of. (See under Justices of the Peace and under Magisterial Districts.  For mayor, see under Government of Cities and Towns.)

Jurisdiction.  Debt, exclusive of interest, not exceeding $100; fines, damages, etc., not exceeding $20; have jurisdiction of certain cases of unlawful entry and detainer, detinue, and search; may allow bail in certain cases.  Shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the County and Corporation Courts of the State in all cases of violations of the revenue laws of the State and of offences arising under certain provisions of the Code, and exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of all other misdemeanor cases occurring within their jurisdiction.

A person charged with refusing to pay a debt may be brought before a justice’s court if the debt, without interest, is not greater than $100, and the justice has power to decide the case.  He has also power to try cases in which offenders may be punished by having to pay fines or damages of not more than $20.

Damages means money paid to compensate for the injury or damage done to any person or person’s property.

Unlawful entry is entering unlawfully upon lands belonging to another, and unlawful detainer means unlawful detaining or holding possession of lands or houses belonging to another.

Detinue is an action in law in which a person seeks to get back property of his which is unlawfully held or detained by another.  In such cases the justice may issue a warrant for search for the property detained.