Criminal Practice in the General District Court in Virginia

In Virginia, most criminal cases are initiated in the General District Court. This is an introductory course for criminal practitioners in Virginia, beginning with the initiation of the case, getting your client out on bond, obtaining discovery from the Commonwealth, plea negotiations, trials and preliminary hearings. This course focuses on criminal procedure in General District Court as well as winning strategies for protecting your clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Become familiar with the procedures in the General District Court, from arraignment and pretrial matters, through preliminary hearings and trial
2. Understand the applicable statutes and court rules
3. Learn how to conduct client intake, draft motions, negotiate with prosecutors and court personnel, and understand the proper use of court reporters
4. Articulate best practices throughout the process