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Practice Areas in Virginia
Counties in Virginia
Browse 95 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Virginia
Virginia operates a unified court system with four levels of courts, each serving specific functions across the Commonwealth. At the foundation are the General District Courts, which handle traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies. These courts operate in each city and county throughout Virginia. The Circuit Courts serve as the primary trial courts with general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, civil matters over $4,500, family law cases including divorce and custody, and appeals from General District Courts. Virginia has 31 judicial circuits covering all cities and counties. The Court of Appeals of Virginia serves as the intermediate appellate court, reviewing decisions from Circuit Courts and select administrative agencies. This court was established in 1985 to help manage the caseload of the state supreme court. At the apex is the Supreme Court of Virginia, the highest court in the Commonwealth, which primarily handles appeals from the Court of Appeals and Circuit Courts in cases involving constitutional issues, death penalty cases, and matters of significant legal importance. What makes Virginia distinctive is its independent city system - cities are separate from counties for judicial purposes, creating unique jurisdictional boundaries. The court system emphasizes alternative dispute resolution and has specialized dockets for drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans treatment courts. For official information about Virginia courts, visit the Virginia Judicial System website at vacourts.gov.
Major Courts in Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia, located in Richmond, serves as the highest court in the Commonwealth and handles appeals involving constitutional questions, death penalty cases, and matters of statewide importance. The Court of Appeals of Virginia, also headquartered in Richmond, reviews appeals from Circuit Courts in criminal, civil, and administrative cases, helping to manage the appellate caseload across the state. The Circuit Court for the City of Richmond handles major criminal felonies, significant civil litigation, and family law matters for the state capital, making it one of the busiest circuit courts in Virginia. The Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach serves the most populous city in Virginia, handling a high volume of criminal cases, civil disputes, and domestic relations matters for the Hampton Roads region. The Circuit Court for Fairfax County, located in Fairfax, serves one of the wealthiest and most populous jurisdictions in Virginia, handling complex civil litigation, serious criminal cases, and family law matters for Northern Virginia residents. The Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk handles significant criminal and civil cases for this major port city, including maritime-related legal matters and a substantial criminal docket. Each of these courts plays a crucial role in Virginia legal system, with the Circuit Courts serving as the primary trial courts for serious criminal charges, major civil disputes, and family law cases throughout their respective jurisdictions in the Commonwealth.
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