Overview

There is a General District Court in each city and county in Virginia. The General District Court hears traffic violation cases, minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors, and civil cases such as landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury actions.

The General District Court does not conduct jury trials. All cases in this court are heard by a judge. Jury trials are held only in Circuit Court, as provided by the Constitution of Virginia. The judge is sworn to enforce, without favor, the laws of the Commonwealth and community. By law, the court must apply rules of procedure and evidence to each case it hears. These procedures are applied uniformly, regardless of who is appearing before the court. 

If you are appearing in court, it is likely for one of the following reasons:

• You are a plaintiff because you filed a civil suit.
• You are complainant because you have caused criminal charges to be brought against someone.
• You are a defendant because someone is suing you, or you have been charged with a traffic violation or a criminal offense.
• You are a witness who has been called to testify.

In addition to General District Court the Court Services Division collects and provides information on incarcerated defendants to assist judges and magistrates with release decisions and provides community supervision both pre-trial and post-trial (probation). Community supervision programs improve citizen outcomes, are cost avoidant, and improve equity. Citizens can more readily access treatment and services, maintain employment, housing, and family responsibilities, and maintain public safety, while reducing the Adult Detention Center (ADC) population.

Click on this link for more information about the General District Court: General District Court