The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Virginia, and the court has authority to try a full range of both civil and criminal cases. Civil cases involve disputes essentially private in nature between two or more parties; criminal cases are controversies between the Commonwealth and persons accused of a crime. Only in a circuit court is a jury provided for the trial of many of these disputes and controversies.

The Virginia circuit court system is composed of 31 judicial circuits with 120 separate circuit courts in the various counties and cities of the Commonwealth. The Supreme Court of Virginia establishes the rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts, and the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court serves as the administrator of the circuit court system.

• Terms begin- 3rd Monday in March, June, and September; 2nd Monday in December
• Grand Juries- First day of each Term
• Misdemeanor Appeals- 3rd Tuesday in March, June, and September; 2nd Tuesday in December
• All criminal cases set on Docket Call of each Term of Court. All civil cases are scheduled through the Judge's office. The Clerk's Office shall be notified of all civil hearings by letter from counsel.
• Commissioners utilized in partition suits and selectively in other matters.
• Court convenes at 9:00 a.m.

Helpful Resources

• Virginia Judicial System Court Self-Help Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
• Virginia State Bar
• Southwest Virginia Legal Aid

• ADA Resource Card
• ADA Notice
• Additional Information