About Federal & Virginia Courts

All Virginia and federal courts are bound by law to apply rules of procedures and evidence to each case it hears. These procedures are applied uniformly, without regard to personal considerations. It should be noted that the State and Federal Courts apply different rules. Judges are sworn to enforce without favor the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or federal law. Even minor traffic offenses and criminal charges can have significant consequences for those charged. You as a defendant have rights guaranteed through both the Constitution of Virginia and the United States. Among these are the right to be represented by competent counsel to assist you with advice and to represent you in any proceeding. The laws and procedures of the courts are complicated and penalties can be severe. It is the goal of the Law Office of Michael S. Davis to provide representation that is of the highest professional standard and to protect your rights and avail you of any defenses that may be available to you.

Traffic Court Procedures

The courts in Virginia have very strict procedures that will be followed in every case. These procedures will vary depending on the type of case that you have.

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TRAFFIC CASES

Usually after being charged with a traffic offense you will be issued a summons to appear in court. For some traffic offenses you may actually be taken into custody such as in the case of a DWI. If you are released on a summons and not taken into custody your first appearance in the court will be for trial. There are some exceptions to this rule. In accident cases and in some other instances there may be a requirement for a second appearance. Otherwise, your first appearance will be for the purpose of entering a plea or to conduct a trial. If the court finds you guilty there will be a penalty imposed which may involve a fine and court costs and could involve the imposition of jail depending on the nature of the offense. The maximum fine in this court is $2500.00. The maximum jail that can be given on each offense is 12 months. In addition there are court costs that must be paid and can not be waived by the court.

If you have been incarcerated as a result of an offense you will be taken to the magistrate after your arrest where the magistrate has the option of releasing you on your promise to appear in court, or, you may be given a bond that must be paid to ensure your appearance in court. The magistrate also has the option of refusing to issue a bond in which case you will be kept in jail until you appear for an arraignment before a judge who will set a bond and conditions for your release. Usually arraignments are set for the next court date after your arrest. The case will then follow the same procedure as if you had been released on a summons. There are situations where the magistrate and the judge refuse to set a bond for your release. In these cases you have a right to appeal your bond to the Circuit Court to try and reverse this decision.

Virginia Courts

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Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court generally controls cases that involve juvenile offenders in traffic and criminal cases. It handles traffic, misdemeanor and felony charges with defendants under the age of 18 years, and in some cases retains jurisdiction of defendants until the age of 21. In some serious cases this court may turn cases over to the Circuit Court if the juvenile is going to be certified as an adult.

This court also handles cases of crimes involving family members such as domestic assault. These can be adults as well as juveniles and can involve non family members who are living together. Those adults who are charged with felony cases in this court will have their cases transferred to the Circuit Court after the case reaches a certain point.

Cases in this court are handled by a judge. If you require a jury trial these cases must be appealed or transferred to the Circuit Court.

General District Court

The General District Court generally controls traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal cases involving individuals 18 years and older. It additionally handles adult felony cases until they have been certified to the Circuit Court for disposition. As with the Juvenile Court these cases are handled by a judge and require an appeal to the Circuit Court for jury trials.

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court generally controls felony cases that have been certified by the General District Court or in cases where there has been an indictment handed down by the Grand Jury. This court can offer clients a trial by a judge (Bench Trial) or a jury trial. This court also handles all misdemeanor appeals and can offer a client a jury trial on those cases as well.

Court of Appeals

The Virginia Court of Appeals is the first Court in the appellant process for felony criminal cases or for misdemeanor cases that have already been determined by the Circuit Court. This court has the option of whether to hear a given case or not. If the court believes that a case merits an appeal the case may be sent there for a possible reversal of an unfavorable verdict. It has the ability to reverse the conviction or to remand the case back down to the Circuit Court for a new trial or other disposition. Generally the client does not appear directly in this court. Appeals are handled by Petition and Oral Arguments by attorneys unless the client is representing himself or herself.

Virginia Supreme Court

The Virginia Supreme Court is the highest court in Virginia. It is the court of last resort that has the final word on a case unless the case is to be appealed to the Federal Courts. This court also has the option of whether it wants to hear a particular case or not. This court has the same options available for disposition as does the Court of Appeals. Here to the client does not appear directly in this court unless he or she is representing themselves.

Federal Courts

Federal Magistrate Court

The Federal Magistrate Court is the equal of the General District State Court and handles misdemeanors committed on federal property and other crimes charged under federal jurisdiction. It functions very much as the state court.

Federal District Court

The Federal District Court handles federal felony cases after the preliminary hearing stage and is generally the trial court level for most crimes. As with the state court you are afforded the right to a bench trial (Judge) or a jury trial to decide your case.

4th Federal Circuit Court

The 4th Federal Circuit Court is an appeals court and functions very much as the Virginia Court of Appeals. It is the first court to which an unfavorable verdict can be appealed.

United States Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court is the court of last resort. The court decides cases with unfavorable outcomes in the Court of Appeals and only hears about 100 cases a year and like the 4th Circuit only hears cases it wishes to hear.

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