6.4 Local Courts

• Library: A Guide to Legal Research in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2021 Ed.)

6.4 LOCAL COURTS

There are thirty-one judicial circuits in Virginia. Although some circuits contain just one city or county, others include multiple localities. Within each judicial circuit are at least one circuit court, general district court, and juvenile and domestic relations district court. The Virginia Judicial Branch website publishes an overview of Virginia's court system called "Virginia Courts in Brief,"⁴⁰ as well as case status information, local forms, contact information, and links to the websites of each local court.⁴¹ Proceedings in all Virginia courts are governed by the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court.⁴² In addition, each court may have its own rules, which are usually accessible through the local court's website.

6.401 Jurisdiction and Functions. Local courts have jurisdiction only in their respective cities and counties. These courts are subordinate to the statewide territorial authority of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Court of Appeals.

The circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction. It is a court of record—appeals are taken on the record made in the circuit court. A district court has limited jurisdiction that extends only to cases in which jurisdiction is specifically conferred by statute. It is not a court of record, meaning that on appeal from a district court the matter is heard de novo.

A. District Courts. The district court system includes more than 250 juvenile and domestic relations district courts and general district courts.

1. General District Courts.⁴³ The general district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil suits involving claims that do not exceed $4,500 and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts over civil suits involving amounts between $4,500 and $50,000. Each general district court has a small claims division, which has concurrent jurisdiction but is for self-represented litigants with claims of less than $5,000.⁴⁴ The general district court also has jurisdiction over criminal cases involving misdemeanor charges, and it conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases. In addition, it hears all cases involving violations of local laws and ordinances.⁴⁵

2. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.⁴⁶ The juvenile and domestic relations district court handles cases involving the care, custody, and control of minors; spousal abuse; and juvenile traffic and criminal offenses when the criminal offense is committed by or against a minor. It also conducts preliminary...