Supreme Court of Virginia
| Supreme Court of Virginia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Established | 1779 |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°32′22″N 77°26′8″W / 37.53944°N 77.43556°WCoordinates: 37°32′22″N 77°26′8″W / 37.53944°N 77.43556°W |
| Authorized by | Virginia Constitution |
| Decisions are appealed to | Supreme Court of the United States |
| Judge term length | 12 years |
| No. of positions | 7 |
| Website | Official website |
| Chief Justice of Virginia | |
| Currently | Donald W. Lemons |
| Since | January 1, 2015 |
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears direct appeals in civil cases from the trial-level city and county circuit courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that are initially appealed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of the oldest continuously active judicial bodies in the United States. It was known as the Supreme Court of Appeals until 1970, when it was renamed the Supreme Court of Virginia.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has its roots in the seventeenth century English legal system, which was instituted in Virginia as part of the Charter of 1606 under which Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America, was established. In 1623, the Virginia House of Burgesses created a five-member appellate court, which met quarterly to hear appeals from the lower courts. Meeting on the first day of March, June, September, and December, it became known as the Quarter Court.
The June term became unnecessary over the years, and in 1661, the Quarter Court became the General Court with original and appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters. It was a court of last resort for the Virginia colonists except in those rare circumstances when an appeal could be made to the king in England. Its members were appointed by the king on the basis of social standing, property, and the proximity of their estates to the colonial capital, Williamsburg. Though the judges were generally most capable, the majority possessed no formal legal training.
...
Wikipedia