(a) The community outreach court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with all district courts of the first circuit to consider and adjudicate nonviolent, nonfelony criminal and traffic offenses, including traffic infractions under chapter 291D, charged to defendants deemed appropriate, after application and acceptance, for participation in the community outreach court.
(b) In any case in which it has jurisdiction, the community outreach court shall exercise general equity powers as authorized by law. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the jurisdiction and authority of any judge designated as a judge of the community outreach court on matters within the scope of this chapter.