What is a court?

A court is a place where legal disputes are heard and judged by a group of officials called judges. In Virginia, court systems are divided into three levels: trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Trial courts are the first level of Virginia’s court system. At this level, civil and criminal cases are tried by a judge and/or a jury. The judge is in charge of deciding the facts of the case, and the jury is responsible for deciding any guilt or innocence. The judge or jury also decides on a sentence, or punishment, if the accused is found guilty. Appellate courts, on the other hand, are responsible for reviewing the decisions made in the trial courts. They can choose to uphold the original decision or grant a new trial. The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the state. It’s responsible for deciding all cases that come before it, as well as interpreting Virginia’s state laws. The Supreme Court also has exclusive authority to rewrite Virginia’s laws. Going to court can be a stressful experience. But having an understanding of the court system, along with an experienced lawyer, can help make the process easier.

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