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The Juvenile Court hears cases involving
adults who are charged with felony or misdemeanor crimes against
children or family members. If an adult is charged with a felony,
the Court hears only the preliminary hearing. In the preliminary
hearing, a judge determines whether there is enough evidence
to establish probable cause that the accused has committed a
crime. After a preliminary hearing, a prosecutor presents the
case to a grand jury. If an indictment is returned by the grand
jury, the Circuit Court holds the felony trial. In misdemeanor
cases, the Juvenile Court holds the trial.
The adult probation officers of the
Domestic Relations Services staff provide probation supervision
to adults convicted of misdemeanor offenses against children
or family members. A substantial proportion of adult offenders
on probation have been convicted of spousal abuse or sexual
offenses against children. Adult probation officers meet with
probationers at least once per month. They monitor probationers'
activities, assess treatment and services needs, tailor service
plans to meet the needs, and monitor probationers' participation
in court ordered treatment or services. Adult probation officers
file probation violations against probationers alleged to be
in violation of probation rules. Additionally, adult probation
officers provide courtesy probation supervision to
other courts.
Misdemeanor
- Offenses punishable by fine not exceeding $2,500 or being
jailed for a term not exceeding 12 months or a combination of
fine and jail within these limits. See § 18.2-11
in the Code of Virginia for classification of misdemeanors and
the punishment for each classification.
Felony - A crime punishable
by death or confinement in the penitentiary. See § 18.2-10
in the Code of Virginia for classification of felonies and the
punishment for each classification.
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