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I would like to meet with someone in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. How do I go about doing this?
Each attorney in our office schedules his/her own appointments. Please contact that person in our office. If you are a defendant in a case, our office cannot speak with you. You will need to have your counsel of record contact our office.
What is a Preliminary Hearing?
A Preliminary Hearing is a General District or Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court hearing to determine, in the case of a felony, if there is sufficient evidence for the Judge to certify the case to the Grand Jury (Circuit Court). If the offense is a misdemeanor, the case will be tried without a preliminary hearing.
What is the Grand Jury?
The Grand Jury is a panel of private citizens who meet quarterly to hear evidence from the Commonwealth's witnesses to determine if there is sufficient cause to bring the accused to trial in Circuit Court.
What is Circuit Court?
Circuit Court is where the defendant is found guilty or innocent. If the defendant pleads guilty, most likely a Plea Agreement will be entered. If the defendant pleads not guilty, he/she will either be tried before a Judge or before a Jury. Victims and witnesses must appear at these trials. If found guilty, the defendant may be sentenced at that time or at a later date if a pre-sentence report is requested.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A Plea Agreement is when the Commonwealth and the Defendant have entered into an agreement as to what is the appropriate punishment given the facts and circumstances of each case.
What is a Pre-Sentence Report?
A Pre-Sentence Report is prepared by Probation & Parole. It affords the Circuit Court the opportunity to review the defendant's background and prior criminal record in determining the appropriate sentence of the defendant.
What is a misdemeanor offense?
A misdemeanor offense is a crime with a punishment of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.
What is a felony offense?
A felony offense is a crime which carries a possible sentence of one year or more in the Virginia Department of Corrections.
I am the defendant or someone acting on behalf of the defendant and I/he/she needs a bond hearing. What needs to be done to get a bond hearing scheduled?
The defendant's counsel of record will need to contact the correct office to schedule a bond hearing.
If the defendant's case is pending in the General District Court (Christiansburg/Blacksburg) or the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, the defendant's counsel of record will need to contact that specific Clerk's Office. If the defendant's case is pending in Circuit Court, the defendant's counsel of record will need to contact our office to schedule a bond hearing.
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