In Virginia, cases involving persons under age 18 are heard by the judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has jurisdiction (the power to hear a case and render a decision) over cases involving:
| • | juvenile delinquency |
| • | juveniles accused of traffic infractions |
| • | children in need of services |
| • | children who have been abused or neglected |
| • | adults accused of child abuse or neglect, or of offenses against a household or family member of any age |
| • | adults involved in disputes concerning the visitation, support or custody of children (except where involved in a divorce case being tried in Circuit Court) |
| • | abandonment of children |
| • | foster care and entrustment agreements |
| • | court‑ordered rehabilitation services |
| • | court consent for certain medical treatment |
| • | spousal abuse |
A delinquent is a juvenile who commits an act that would be a crime or traffic infraction if committed by an adult. An offender is treated as a juvenile if he or she was under age 18 at the time the unlawful act was committed.
Child abuse or neglect involves the improper care or violent treatment of juveniles.
A "child in need of services" (CHINS) is a juvenile whose behavior, conduct or condition is a serious threat to the juvenile's well-being and physical safety of another person.
Preliminary hearings are also held in this court for adults charged with committing felonies against children or other family members. If probable cause is found, the case is transferred to the Circuit Court.