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

2. 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 !!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Virginia Supreme Court
Is located in Richmond

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

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

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

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