DISTRICT

One of the portions into which an entire state or country may be divided, for judicial, political, or administrative purposes. The United States are divided into judicial districts, in each of which is established a district court. They are also divided into election districts, collection districts, etc. The circuit or territory within which a person may be compelled to appear. Cowell. Circuit of authority; province. Enc. Lond. District attorney. The prosecuting officer of the United States government in each of the federal judicial districts. Also, under the state governments, the prosecuting officer who represents the state in each of its judicial districts. In some states, where the territory is divided, for judicial purposes, into sections called by some other name than “districts,” the same officer is denominated “county attorney” or “state’s attorney.” Smith v. Scranton, 3 C P. Rep. (Pa.) 84; State v. Salge, 2 Nev. 324. District clerk. The clerk of a district court of either a state or the United States. District courts. Courts of the United States, each having territorial jurisdiction over a district, which may include a whole state or only part of it. Each of these courts is presided over by one judge, who must reside within the district. These courts have original jurisdiction over all admiralty and maritime causes and all proceedings in bankruptcy, and over all penal and criminal matters cognizable under the laws of the United States, exclusive jurisdiction over which is not vested either in the supreme or circuit courts. Also inferior courts of record in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas are also called “district courts.” Their jurisdiction is for the most part similar to that of county courts, (q. v.) District judge. The judge of a United States district court; also, in some states, the judge of a district court of the state. District parishes. Ecclesiastical divisions of parishes in England, for all purposes of worship, and for the celebration of marriages, christenings, church ings, and burials, formed at the instance of the queen’s commissioners for building new churches. See 3 Steph. Comm. 744. District registry. By the English judicature act, 1873,