2910

COUNTY LOCAL LAWS

justices of the peace of said county. In civil
cases, the Judges shall have jurisdiction in
cases where the amount in controversy does not
exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), which
jurisdiction shall be exclusive in cases
involving amounts not exceeding Three Hundred
Dollars ($300), and provided that all cases where
the amount in controversy exceeds Five Hundred
Dollars ($500) may be immediately transferred or
removed for trial by any party to the Circuit
Court for Howard County.

Sec. 7.107 - Other Powers.

In addition to the power above enumerated
and not in derogation or limitation thereof, the
Judges of the People's Court shall have the
following powers:

(a)   To provide by appropriate rules
and printed forms, for the administration
of said Court and for the expeditious,
orderly, efficient and simple practice and
procedure in said Court which may relate
to, and include, but shall not be limited
to, the fixing of court costs, registered
or certified mail service, return days,
practice in suits against nonresidents,
attachments, replevins, joint tortfeasors,
counterclaims, cross—claims, and
consolidations, continuances, depositions,
dismissals, arbitrations, setoff's, appeal
bonds, summary judgments, judgments by
default, judgment by confession,
supplementary proceedings, new trial, and
such other matters not inconsistent with
law. Such rules shall have the force of
law until rescinded or modified by the said
Judges or by the General Assembly.

(b)  To punish for contempt of court.

(c)  To suspend or reduce sentence
and/or costs in any case within ten (10)
days after judgment has been pronounced.

(d)   The People's Court of Howard
County, before conviction of any person
accused of crime with the written consent
of the person so accused, whether a minor
or an adult, and after conviction or after
a plea of guilty or nolo contendere,
without such consent, are empowered during