Civil Actions
In civil cases, the Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims from $4,501 to $50,000 and exclusive original jurisdiction over monetary claims exceeding $50,000. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over other matters, including: attachments, adoptions, divorce proceedings, disputes concerning wills, trusts and estates, and controversies involving property.
Criminal Cases
In criminal cases, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the trial of all felonies (offenses that may be punished by imprisonment of more than one year) and of those misdemeanors (offenses carrying a penalty of not more than twelve months in jail) that were appealed from district court or a grand jury indictment. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over juveniles who are charged with felonies and whose cases have been transferred or certified by the judge of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for trial in Circuit Court.
Appellate Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court has appellate jurisdiction over appeals from General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Appeals from these district courts are heard de novo; that is, the cases are tried from the beginning as though there had been no prior trial. The parties have the right to a jury trial in the Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court's appellate jurisdiction also extends to appeals from certain administrative agencies
Online Services
Jury Duty
Potential Jurors are randomly selected from voter registration lists. The selection method is designed to produce a cross section of the community. Approximately 50,000 prospective Jurors are randomly selected each year to receive a Juror Questionnaire. When these Questionnaires are returned to the court, they are reviewed by jury commissioners to determine which respondents are qualified to serve as Jurors. These names make up the master jury list for the year. All persons, 18 years of age and over and from all walks of life, have an equal opportunity to be called for jury service.
Land Records
The Land Records department accepts documents from property transactions in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. Transactions involving property located within the City of Falls Church must be recorded with the Arlington County Circuit Court. Real property transactions involving property located in the City of Alexandria must be recorded with the Alexandria Circuit Court. All document types can be submitted over-the-counter and electronically via the Court's Electronic Filing System (EFS).
Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual
Attorneys and persons representing themselves can find Circuit Court procedures and forms in the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual. This detailed text, including forms, is available to the public and attorneys in the Fairfax Public Law Library. Individual copies of the manual may be obtained from the Fairfax Bar Association.