Just as the federal courts interpret federal statutes and decide matters of federal common law, the state courts are the arbiters of issues of state law. They interpret the state's constitution and statutes, and have broad powers in developing common law doctrines through judicial decisions. Also like the federal system, the courts in each state are arranged in a hierarchical format. Appellate courts decide points of law and establish rules binding throughout the state, while trial courts handle the bulk of judicial business and are the courts with which most people come in contact. In most states, these local courts not only handle litigation but maintain documents such as deeds and wills.
Trial courts go by different names in different states.
Some states have circuit courts, some district courts or superior courts, and two states have courts of common pleas. Each state has trial courts with general jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal matters, but most also have courts of limited jurisdiction in specialized areas, such as probate, traffic, or small claims. Every state has a court of last resort, which hears appeals and has the final word on interpretation of state law. This high court is called the Supreme Court in most states, but there are a few local variations. In Maine and Massachusetts, the court of last resort is called the Supreme Judicial Court, and in Maryland and New York it is called the Court of Appeals.