Objective 5.5 Describe the organization and jurisdiction of the Virginia Court system

Virginia does NOT have LOCAL courts !!!!!!!!! Objective 5.5 Describe the organization and jurisdiction of the Virginia Court system Virginia does NOT have LOCAL courts !!!!!!!!!

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts Purpose: improve the young person (not designed to punish)

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts Handles: Juvenile delinquents Juvenile traffic offenders Children needing services

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts Handles: Abused or neglected kids Child or spousal abusers Visitation or custody disputes

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts DOES NOT HAVE A JURY “HEARING”, not a trial

General District Courts District courts in Virginia are the lowest “adult” courts

General District Courts Do not have a jury Hear “misdemeanor” cases

General District Courts Define: misdemeanor - crime punishable by fines up to $2,500 or one year in jail. Example: traffic ticket

General District Courts hear civil cases involving up to $15,000 less than $500 always heard in General District Court $3,000-$15,000 can be heard in next higher court

General District Courts Looks like a “Judge Brown” court… no jury.

General District Courts holds preliminary hearings in felony case…and… if there is enough evidence sends case to circuit court

General District Courts judges are elected by “General Assembly” to serve 8 years

General District Courts Virginia is divided into 32 districts Each county and city has a court (131 total courts)

Here begins: “courts of record”” Def: court of record - keeps a transcript of proceedings

appellate jurisdiction Circuit Courts appellate jurisdiction hears all appeals from Lower courts ----------record---------- General District Court Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

original jurisdiction: Circuit Courts original jurisdiction: civil cases over $15,000 Has concurrent jurisdiction with District Court for cases of $3,000-$15,000

original jurisdiction criminal case that is a felony Circuit Courts original jurisdiction criminal case that is a felony

felony - crime punishable by death or confinement in penitentiary. Circuit Courts felony - crime punishable by death or confinement in penitentiary. Bye bye

Has: judge and petit jury grand juries (indictment) Circuit Courts Has: judge and petit jury grand juries (indictment)

judges selected by state legislature to serve a term of 8 years Circuit Courts judges selected by state legislature to serve a term of 8 years

Virginia is divided into 31 “circuits” Total: 122 courts Circuit Courts Virginia is divided into 31 “circuits” Total: 122 courts

Court of Appeals of Virginia appellate jurisdiction from circuit courts in criminal and traffic cases except where death penalty was imposed

Court of Appeals of Virginia judges sit as a panel of three no jury

Court of Appeals of Virginia Judges are… elected by state legislature to serve a term of 8 years

Court of Appeals of Virginia Location: in four cities in Virginia.

Virginia Supreme Court Is located in Richmond

Virginia Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction: review cases of lower courts in Virginia. FINAL APPEAL

Virginia Supreme Court judicial review for Virginia Virginia Supreme Court determines constitutionality of state laws and acts of the governor

Virginia Supreme Court limited original jurisdiction: in cases of judicial censure and removal

Virginia Supreme Court has seven judges who serve 12 year terms 7