For misdemeanors and felonies, the arraignment occurs in which court?

• A. General District Court
• B. Circuit Court
• C. Supreme Court of Virginia
• D. Family Court

Answer: (A)

Arraignment is the defendant’s first court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered. In Virginia, this initial step for both misdemeanors and felonies occurs in the General District Court. For misdemeanors, the case proceeds there through the arraignment and trial. For felonies, the General District Court can conduct a preliminary check for probable cause, and if appropriate, the case moves onward to the Circuit Court for trial. The Supreme Court of Virginia handles appeals, not arraignments, and Family Court handles primarily family-law matters, not criminal arraignments. So the arraignment for these offenses is in the General District Court.