Preliminary hearing - In felony cases, after an advisement, the next step is a preliminary hearing. This is like a mini-trial that takes place in the General District Court. Click here for information about the different levels of courts in Virginia. At the preliminary hearing, the prosecution has to put on enough evidence to show probable cause that the defendant is guilty. This is the same standard that the police have to have to make the arrest in the first place. If the General District Court Judge finds that there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the offense, he will `certify` the case to the Grand Jury, which means that he will allow the case to go forward to the Grand Jury.
Indictment and Grand Jury - Once every two months, a Grand Jury convenes at the Circuit Court house, and they consider indictments that have been prepared by the Commonwealth`s Attorney`s office. Most of these indictments will be in cases where there was a preliminary hearing and the General District Court certified the charge(s).
But, even if there was a preliminary hearing and the General District Court dismissed the charges, the Commonwealth`s Attorney can still prepare an indictment and put it before the Grand Jury. The Commonwealth`s attorney can also ask the Grand Jury to return indictments for charges that never had a preliminary hearing. This is called a direct indictment.If this part of the process seems odd, it should. You can click here for more discussion about Preliminary Hearings and Direct Indictments.
If the Grand Jurors find that the indictment is a "true bill," the indictment issues and the case moves forward, except now in Circuit Court. http://williamhendricks.org/article_details.php?article=7
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**trial is set for 3 hours**
Case Number:
CR15001178-00
Filed: 05/12/2015 Commenced by: Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge: OBSTRUCT JUSTICE Code Section: c18.2-460 Charge Type: Felony Class:5 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date: 03/21/2015
Case Number:
CR15001178-01
Filed: 05/12/2015 Commenced by: Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge: OBSTRUCT JUSTICE Code Section: 18.2-460 Charge Type: Felony Class: 5 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date: 03/21/2015
Case Number:
CR15001178-02
Filed:05/12/2015 Commenced by: Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge:
OBSTRUCT JUSTICE Code Section: 18.2-460 Charge Type: Felony Class: 5 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date: 03/21/2015
Case Number:
CR15001178-03
Filed: 05/12/2015 Commenced by: Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge: OBSTRUCT JUSTICE Code Section: 18.2-460 Charge Type: Felony Class: 5 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date: 03/21/2015
Case Number:
CR15001178-04
Filed: 05/12/2015 Commenced by: Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge: POSS AMMO BY CONV FELON Code Section: 18.2-308.2 Charge Type: Felony Class: 6 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date: 03/21/2015
Case Number:
CR15001178-05
Filed: 05/20/2015 Commenced by: Direct Indictment Locality: COMMONWEALTH OF VA
Defendant: HADSELL, WESLEY
Charge: STATUTORY BURGLARY Code Section: 18.2-92 Charge Type: Felony Class: 6 Offense Date: 03/06/2015 Arrest Date:
http://ewsocis1.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/Search.do