The Circuit Courts have jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases.
The smallest circuits are the 2nd, 3rd, 24th, 34th, 35th, 36th, 40th, and 41st which each contain just a single judge and represent many of the least populous counties in the state.
Judges may not seek re-election upon turning seventy years of age.
The partisan alignment of the Circuit Judges following the 2018 general election is 92 Republicans, 55 Democrats, and 1 Independent.
However, the 10th, 18th, 28th Circuits have judicial commissions which submit nominees from which the Governor is obligated to choose.