Martinsville Circuit Court

21st Judicial Circuit of Virginia

The circuit court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Virginia. The circuit court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $15,000. It shares authority with the general district court to hear matters involving between $4,500 and $15,000. The circuit court has the authority to hear serious criminal cases called felonies.

The circuit court also handles family matters, including divorce. In addition, the circuit court hears cases appealed from the general district court and from the juvenile and domestic relations district court.

There is a Circuit court in each city and county in Virginia. Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly for 8-year terms.

Martinsville Circuit Court Terms of Court & General Information

  • Terms of Court begin: 1st Monday, November; 2nd Monday, February; 1st Monday, May; 4th Monday, July.
  • Grand Juries meet on the first day of a new term
  • Misdemeanor cases are set on Misdemeanor Appeal Day - Felony cases are set on Term Day, on Felony Disposition Day 1 or 2, and on Return on Indictments Day
  • Civil cases are set by Pretrial Scheduling Order - Pursuant to Rule 1:20, counsel of record may agree to a trial date as a part of a written plan prepared and submitted to the court for approval pursuant to Rule 1:18, after obtaining a trial date from the court's administrative assistant.
  • Court convenes 9 am
  • Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in divorce proceedings, partition suits, creditors suits, etc.

Additional Information on Circuit Courts