The district courts of Russia (russian: районный суд or ; also called ' or ' courts) are primarily courts of first instance in the

judiciary of Russia The Judiciary of Russia interprets and applies the law of Russia. It is defined under the Constitution and law with a hierarchical structure with the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court at the apex. The district courts are the primary crimin ...

but sometimes hear appeals from

magistrates' courts A magistrates' court is a lower court where, in several jurisdictions, all criminal proceedings start. Also some civil matters may be dealt with here, such as family proceedings. Courts * Magistrates' court (England and Wales) * Magistrate's Cour ...

. They are formed in ' or areas (), urban areas (), and cities (). Decisions of the court are appealed to the regional court. As courts of first instance, they handle criminal cases where imprisonment is for more than 3 years, and consist of 1

judge A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...

and a

jury A jury is a sworn body of people (jurors) convened to hear evidence and render an impartiality, impartial verdict (a Question of fact, finding of fact on a question) officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a sentence (law), penalty o ...

where required. As courts of appeal from decisions of the magistrate courts consisting of 1

justice of the peace A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or ''puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission ( letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sa ...

, they consist of 1 judge and retry the case. They were called People's Courts until 1996.

References

* Judiciary of Russia Districts of Russia by federal subject {{Europe-law-stub

See also

References