Which court handles preliminary hearings on felonies?

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

Answer: (B)

Preliminary hearings for felonies are handled in General District Court. This court is where the judge reviews the evidence to determine whether there is probable cause to move the case forward toward trial. If probable cause is found, the case is bound over to Circuit Court, which is the trial court for felonies. The Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court are appellate courts that review decisions after trials, not places for initial felony screening. So the General District Court is the right place for the preliminary hearing step.