Which Virginia court conducts preliminary hearings on felonies?

• A. General District Court
• B. Circuit Court
• C. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
• D. U.S. District Court

Answer: (A)

In Virginia, preliminary hearings to determine probable cause for felonies are held in General District Court. After a defendant is arrested, the case goes to this court where a judge considers evidence presented by the Commonwealth to decide whether there is enough cause to bind the case over to Circuit Court for trial. If probable cause is found, the case advances to Circuit Court for trial; if not, the case can be dismissed or diverted. The Circuit Court is where felonies are actually tried, not where the initial probable-cause screening occurs. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles juvenile and family-related matters, and U.S. District Court is a federal court not involved in Virginia’s state felony preliminary proceedings.