The only trial court of general jurisdiction in Virginia is the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the following:
Civil Actions:
- shared jurisdiction with general district courts of monetary claims of more than $4,500 but not exceeding $25,000 and claims not exceeding $50,000 in personal injury and wrongful death cases
- exclusive original jurisdiction of most monetary claims exceeding $25,000
- attachments
- validity of a county or municipal ordinance or corporate bylaw
- divorce proceedings
- wills, trusts and estate matters
- property disputes
- adoption proceedings
Criminal Cases:
- all felonies, which are offenses that may be punished by imprisonment of more than one year
- misdemeanor offenses that were appealed from district court or originated from a grand jury indictment
- transfer or certification of felony offenses committed by juveniles
Appeals:
- appeals from the general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court (heard de novo)
- appeals from administrative agencies
The circuit court also handles any case for which jurisdiction is not specified in the Code of Virginia.
At the beginning of each term of the circuit court a grand jury is convened. These juries consider bills of indictment to determine whether there is sufficient probable cause to believe that a person accused of having committed a serious crime did commit such crime and should stand trial. The grand jury does not hear both sides of the case and does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
A special grand jury may be convened to investigate any condition that tends to promote criminal activity in the community or indicates malfeasance by governmental agencies or officials. This grand jury has subpoena powers and may summon persons, documents, or records needed in its investigation.
Source: Virginia Courts In Brief, https://www.courts.state.va.us/static/courts/cib.pdf
NOTE: As of July 1, 2012, all divorce decrees must contain the following notice in conspicuous, bold print:
Beneficiary designations for any death benefit, as defined in subsection B of § 20-111.1 of the Code of Virginia, made payable to a former spouse may or may not be automatically revoked by operation of law upon the entry of a final decree of annulment or divorce. If a party intends to revoke any beneficiary designation made payable to a former spouse following the annulment or divorce, the party is responsible for following any and all instructions to change such beneficiary designation given by the provider of the death benefit. Otherwise, existing beneficiary designations may remain in full force and effect after the entry of a final decree of annulment or divorce.
Source: Virginia Code § 20-111.1(E)