Supreme Court of Virginia

The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through 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 present Supreme Court of Virginia is made up of seven justices elected by a majority vote of both houses of the General Assembly for a term of twelve years. To be eligible for election, a candidate must be a resident of Virginia and must have been a member of the Virginia Bar for at least five years. Vacancies on the court occurring between sessions of the General Assembly may be filled by the Governor for a term expiring thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly. By statute, the Chief Justice is chosen by a majority vote of the seven justices.

By statute, the court may designate a retired justice to serve as Senior Justice for a renewable one year term. The court may designate up to five senior justices. Senior justices sit with the court during regular sessions hearing writs and sitting on merit cases, especially when an active member of the court is recused from hearing a particular case. In addition, a retired justice who has not been designated as a senior justice may sit with the court by special designation.

Read more about Supreme Court Of Virginia:  History of The Supreme Court of Virginia, Jurisdiction of The Virginia Supreme Court, Procedure, Court Organization, The Virginia Judicial System, Court Seal, Notable Cases

Famous quotes containing the words supreme court, supreme and/or court:

    Henderson: What about Congress and the Supreme Court and the President? We got to pay them, don’t we?
    Grandpa: Not with my money, no sir.
    Robert Riskin (1897–1955)

    Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.
    Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1845)

    In the court of the movie Owner, none criticized, none doubted. And none dared speak of art. In the Owner’s mind art was a synonym for bankruptcy.... The movie Owners are the only troupe in the history of entertainment that has never been seduced by the adventure of the entertainment world.
    Ben Hecht (1893–1964)