What types of cases do municipal courts primarily hear?

Municipal courts primarily handle ordinance violations and juvenile violations. Ordinance violations refer to breaches of local laws or regulations, which can include minor offenses like petty theft, disorderly conduct, or violations related to city ordinances such as noise regulations or zoning issues. Juvenile violations involve cases where individuals under the legal age are accused of breaking laws, which are often addressed differently than adult offenses due to the focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

This focus on local ordinances and juvenile matters distinguishes municipal courts from other types of courts, such as circuit or district courts that deal with more serious offenses like felonies or significant civil lawsuits. Traffic accident claims, while they may sometimes come before a municipal court particularly if they involve violations of local traffic ordinances, are not the primary focus of these courts.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific realm of jurisdiction that municipal courts have, which is crucial for understanding how local law enforcement and judicial systems operate.