Atlanta has a state court. This court has jurisdiction over disputes that have some connection with a U.S. state, as opposed to federal implications (which is then tried in a federal court). These handle the bulk of the civil and criminal cases filed in the country, and there is very little federal intervention. These courts are usually located in the courthouses of the county seat. The process for the election of the judges to the state court varies widely from state to state. Many of them previously served as prosecutors, or as criminal defense attorneys or trial lawyers. The courts administration is usually by the rules and procedures laid down by the state supreme court.
