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The Lee Circuit Court resides in Virginia. Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...
This court holds the following jurisdiction:[1]
| “ | 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.[2] |
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Judges of the circuit court are elected by a majority vote of the Virginia General Assembly (the combined Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia State Senate).[3][4]
Judges serve for eight years. At the end of their terms, judges must be re-elected by the legislature just as they initially were.[3]
The chief judge of each court is selected by peer vote for a two-year term.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on the supreme court, court of appeals or circuit court, a judge must be:[4]
*Retirement is mandatory for sitting judges who turn 70 while in office. Such judges may continue serving until 20 days after the convening of the regular general assembly session following his or her birthday. An increase in judicial retirement age has also been passed by the state legislature and awaits the Governor's signature (see Legislation section below).[5]
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia
State courts:
Virginia Supreme Court • Virginia Court of Appeals • Virginia Circuit Courts • Virginia District Courts • Virginia Magistrates
State resources:
Courts in Virginia • Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Virginia