Court - Suffolk, Suffolk Circuit Court-5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia

The circuit court has jurisdiction over civil cases with claims of more than $4,500. It shares authority with the general district court to hear matters involving claims that exceed $4,500 but do not exceed $25,000, and in civil cases for personal injury and wrongful death where the amount of the claim does not exceed $50,000. The circuit court also has jurisdiction over divorce cases, disputes concerning wills and estates, and controversies involving real property. In criminal cases, the circuit court has jurisdiction over the trial of all felonies (offenses that may be punished by incarceration in the state penitentiary) and of those misdemeanors (offenses carrying a penalty of not more than 12 months in jail) on appeal from district court or originally charged in circuit court. The circuit court also has jurisdiction over juveniles charged with felonies whose cases have been certified or transferred by the judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court for trial in circuit court.