Circuit Courts in Virginia are trial courts of general jurisdiction. These courts hear both civil and criminal cases. The Circuit Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases with amounts in dispute over $15,000 and concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court on civil claims from $4,500 to $15,000. The court also has jurisdiction over divorce cases, adoptions, wills and estates (probate cases), and property disputes. 

In addition, this court has jurisdiction over juveniles aged 14 or older who are charged with felonies and who have been transferred or certified for trial in Circuit Court as an adult. 

Criminal cases heard in the Circuit Courts include all felony cases and misdemeanor charges originally charged in circuit court by a grand jury indictment. 

Cases on appeal from the General District Courts or Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts are heard de novo in Circuit Court. These appeals are tried from the beginning as though there had not been a trial in a lower court. View Route of Appeal.

The Circuit Court has the authority to impanel grand juries. These grand juries consider whether there is probable cause to believe that the person accused of the crime has committed the crime charged in the indictment, and investigate and report conditions which involve criminal activity. Grand jury members must be 18 years of age and residents of the county or city for at least six months and of the state of Virginia for 12 months.

There are 31 judicial circuits in Virginia. Circuit court judges serve eight-year terms. The chief judge of the circuit is elected for a two-year term by a majority vote of the judges serving in the circuit.