The Text

Inferior local courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction may be established by the legislature, but no inferior local court created after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, shall be a court of record. Except as herein provided the legislature shall not hereafter confer upon any inferior local court of its creation any equity jurisdiction or any greater jurisdiction in other respects than is conferred upon county courts by or under this article.
The legislature may, however, provide that the territorial jurisdiction of any inferior local court now existing or hereafter established in any city or village or of justices of the peace in cities shall extend throughout the county in which such court or justice is located, and also throughout such city or village irrespective of town or county lines. The legislature may also create civil divisions consisting of not to exceed three contiguous towns or parts thereof for the purpose of establishing therein inferior local courts having territorial jurisdiction throughout the county or counties ill which such towns are situated. The legislature may confer upon any inferior local court power to try without a jury offenses of the grade of misdemeanor. The legislature may establish children’s courts, and courts of domestic relations, as separate courts, or parts of existing courts or courts hereafter to be created, and may confer upon them such equity and other jurisdiction as may be necessary for the correction, protection, guardianship and disposition of delinquent, neglected or dependent minors, and for the punishment and correction of adults responsible for or contributing to such delinquency, neglect or dependency, and of all persons legally chargeable with the support of a wife or children who abandon or neglect to support either. In the exercise of such jurisdiction such courts may hear and determine such causes, with or without a jury, except those involving a felony. Except as in this article otherwise provided, all judicial officers shall be elected or appointed at such times and in such manner as the legislature may direct.