{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-123.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-123.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-123.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-123.1.html"}],"law_id":85805,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85805,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-123.1","catch_line":"Criminal and traffic jurisdiction of general district courts","history":"1984, c. 506; 2019, c. 240; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 187.","full_text":"1\n\nEach general district court shall have, within the county, including the towns within such county, or city for which it is established, exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of:\n\t\t\ta. All offenses against the ordinances, laws and bylaws of such county, including the towns within such county, or city or of any service district within such county or city, except a city ordinance enacted pursuant to §§ 18.2-372 through 18.2-391.1. All offenses against the ordinances of a service district shall be prosecuted in the name of such service district;\n\t\t\tb. All other misdemeanors and traffic infractions arising in such county, including the towns in such county, or city.2\n\nEach general district court which is established within a city shall also have:\n\t\t\ta. Concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court of such city for all violations of state revenue and election laws; and\n\t\t\tb. Exclusive original jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided by general law or the city charter, within the area extending for one mile beyond the corporate limits thereof, for the trial of all offenses against the ordinances, laws and bylaws of the city.3\n\nIf a city lying within a county has no general district court provided by city charter or under general law, then the general district court of the county within which such city lies shall have the same jurisdiction in such city as a general district court established for a city would have.4\n\nEach general district court shall have such other jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent, as may be conferred on such court by general law or by provisions of the charter of the city for which the court was established.5\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection C of § 19.2-244, any county general district court authorized by § 16.1-69.35:01 to be established in a city shall have exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of all misdemeanors committed within or upon the general district court courtroom.6\n\nUpon certification by the general district court of any felony charge and ancillary misdemeanor charge or when an appeal of a conviction of an offense in general district court is noted, jurisdiction as to such charges shall vest in the circuit court, unless such case is reopened pursuant to § 16.1-133.1; a final judgment, order, or decree is modified, vacated, or suspended pursuant to Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 1:1; or the appeal has been withdrawn in the general district court within 10 days pursuant to § 16.1-133.7\n\nNothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction conferred on the juvenile and domestic relations district court by Chapter 11 (§ 16.1-226 et seq.).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":307278,"text":"Each general district court shall have, within the county, including the towns within such county, or city for which it is established, exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of:\n\t\t\ta. All offenses against the ordinances, laws and bylaws of such county, including the towns within such county, or city or of any service district within such county or city, except a city ordinance enacted pursuant to §§ 18.2-372 through 18.2-391.1. All offenses against the ordinances of a service district shall be prosecuted in the name of such service district;\n\t\t\tb. All other misdemeanors and traffic infractions arising in such county, including the towns in such county, or city.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"next_prefix":"2"},"1":{"id":307279,"text":"Each general district court which is established within a city shall also have:\n\t\t\ta. Concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court of such city for all violations of state revenue and election laws; and\n\t\t\tb. Exclusive original jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided by general law or the city charter, within the area extending for one mile beyond the corporate limits thereof, for the trial of all offenses against the ordinances, laws and bylaws of the city.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"2":{"id":307280,"text":"If a city lying within a county has no general district court provided by city charter or under general law, then the general district court of the county within which such city lies shall have the same jurisdiction in such city as a general district court established for a city would have.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"3":{"id":307281,"text":"Each general district court shall have such other jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent, as may be conferred on such court by general law or by provisions of the charter of the city for which the court was established.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"4":{"id":307282,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C of § 19.2-244, any county general district court authorized by § 16.1-69.35:01 to be established in a city shall have exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of all misdemeanors committed within or upon the general district court courtroom.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"5":{"id":307283,"text":"Upon certification by the general district court of any felony charge and ancillary misdemeanor charge or when an appeal of a conviction of an offense in general district court is noted, jurisdiction as to such charges shall vest in the circuit court, unless such case is reopened pursuant to § 16.1-133.1; a final judgment, order, or decree is modified, vacated, or suspended pursuant to Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 1:1; or the appeal has been withdrawn in the general district court within 10 days pursuant to § 16.1-133.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"6":{"id":307284,"text":"Nothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction conferred on the juvenile and domestic relations district court by Chapter 11 (§ 16.1-226 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15652,"edition_id":1,"name":"Jurisdiction in Criminal Matters","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14092,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:24","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:24","permalink":{"id":162683,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15652,"identifier":"1","token":"16.1\/7\/1","url":"\/16.1\/7\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14092,"edition_id":1,"name":"Jurisdiction and Procedure in Criminal Matters","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:51","permalink":{"id":162681,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14092,"identifier":"7","token":"16.1\/7","url":"\/16.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84525,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-123","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-123\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-123","metadata":false},{"id":85805,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-123.1","catch_line":"Criminal and traffic jurisdiction of general district courts","url":"\/16.1-123.1\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-123.1","metadata":false},{"id":62889,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-124","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-124\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-124","metadata":false},{"id":84137,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-126","catch_line":"Certain courts of record may try misdemeanors; procedure","url":"\/16.1-126\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-126","metadata":false},{"id":73081,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-127","catch_line":"Courts may conduct preliminary examinations","url":"\/16.1-127\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-127","metadata":false},{"id":59831,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-128","catch_line":"Exception when jurisdiction in State Corporation Commission","url":"\/16.1-128\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-128","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":84525,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-123","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-123\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-123","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62889,"structure_id":15652,"section_number":"16.1-124","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-124\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-124","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-123.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 506 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapter 240<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":56683,"section_number":"16.1-133.1","catch_line":"Reopening case after conviction","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-133.1\/"},{"id":68463,"section_number":"16.1-226","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-226\/"},{"id":61573,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:01","catch_line":"Location of district courts for Albemarle County","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.35_01\/"},{"id":81551,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-372\/"},{"id":60450,"section_number":"18.2-391.1","catch_line":"Exceptions to application of article","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-391.1\/"},{"id":85415,"section_number":"19.2-244","catch_line":"Venue in general","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-244\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162689,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85805,"identifier":"16.1-123.1","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-123.1","url":"\/16.1-123.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-123.1\/","token":"16.1\/7\/1\/16.1-123.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Criminal and traffic jurisdiction of general district courts","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-123.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Each general district court<\/span> shall have, within the county, including the towns within such county, or city for which it is established, exclusive original jurisdiction<\/span> for the trial<\/span> of:\n\t\t\ta. All offenses<\/span> against the ordinances<\/span>, laws<\/span> and bylaws of such county, including the towns within such county, or city or of any service district within such county or city, except a city ordinance<\/span> enacted pursuant to §§ 18.2-372<\/a> through 18.2-391.1<\/a>. All offenses<\/span> against the ordinances<\/span> of a service district shall be prosecuted in the name of such service district;\n\t\t\tb. All other misdemeanors<\/span> and traffic infractions arising in such county, including the towns in such county, or city. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Each general district court<\/span> which is established within a city shall also have:\n\t\t\ta. Concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of such city for all violations of state revenue and election laws<\/span>; and\n\t\t\tb. Exclusive original jurisdiction<\/span>, except as otherwise provided by general law<\/span> or the city charter, within the area extending for one mile beyond the corporate limits thereof, for the trial<\/span> of all offenses<\/span> against the ordinances<\/span>, laws<\/span> and bylaws of the city. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If a city lying within a county has no general district court<\/span> provided by city charter or under general law<\/span>, then the general district court<\/span> of the county within which such city lies shall have the same jurisdiction in such city as a general district court<\/span> established for a city would have. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Each general district court<\/span> shall have such other jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent, as may be conferred on such court<\/span> by general law<\/span> or by provisions of the charter of the city for which the court<\/span> was established. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C of § 19.2-244<\/a>, any county general district court<\/span> authorized by § 16.1-69.35:01<\/a> to be established in a city shall have exclusive original jurisdiction<\/span> for the trial<\/span> of all misdemeanors<\/span> committed within or upon the general district court<\/span> courtroom. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Upon certification by the general district court<\/span> of any felony<\/span> charge and ancillary misdemeanor<\/span> charge or when an appeal<\/span> of a conviction<\/span> of an offense<\/span> in general district court<\/span> is noted, jurisdiction as to such charges shall vest in the circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, unless such case is reopened pursuant to § 16.1-133.1<\/a>; a final judgment<\/span>, order<\/span>, or decree<\/span> is modified, vacated, or suspended pursuant to Supreme Court<\/span> of Virginia Rule 1:1; or the appeal<\/span> has been withdrawn in the general district court<\/span> within 10 days pursuant to § 16.1-133<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Nothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction conferred on the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> by Chapter 11 (§ 16.1-226<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC JURISDICTION OF GENERAL DISTRICT COURTS (\u00a7 16.1-123.1)\n\n1. Each general district court shall have, within the county, including the\ntowns within such county, or city for which it is established, exclusive\noriginal jurisdiction for the trial of:\n\t\t\ta. All offenses against the ordinances, laws and bylaws of such county,\nincluding the towns within such county, or city or of any service district\nwithin such county or city, except a city ordinance enacted pursuant to\n§§ 18.2-372 through 18.2-391.1. All offenses against the ordinances of\na service district shall be prosecuted in the name of such service district;\n\t\t\tb. All other misdemeanors and traffic infractions arising in such county,\nincluding the towns in such county, or city.\n\n2. Each general district court which is established within a city shall also\nhave:\n\t\t\ta. Concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court of such city for all\nviolations of state revenue and election laws; and\n\t\t\tb. Exclusive original jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided by general\nlaw or the city charter, within the area extending for one mile beyond the\ncorporate limits thereof, for the trial of all offenses against the ordinances,\nlaws and bylaws of the city.\n\n3. If a city lying within a county has no general district court provided by\ncity charter or under general law, then the general district court of the county\nwithin which such city lies shall have the same jurisdiction in such city as a\ngeneral district court established for a city would have.\n\n4. Each general district court shall have such other jurisdiction, exclusive or\nconcurrent, as may be conferred on such court by general law or by provisions of\nthe charter of the city for which the court was established.\n\n5. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C of § 19.2-244, any county\ngeneral district court authorized by § 16.1-69.35:01 to be established in a\ncity shall have exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of all\nmisdemeanors committed within or upon the general district court courtroom.\n\n6. Upon certification by the general district court of any felony charge and\nancillary misdemeanor charge or when an appeal of a conviction of an offense in\ngeneral district court is noted, jurisdiction as to such charges shall vest in\nthe circuit court, unless such case is reopened pursuant to § 16.1-133.1; a\nfinal judgment, order, or decree is modified, vacated, or suspended pursuant to\nSupreme Court of Virginia Rule 1:1; or the appeal has been withdrawn in the\ngeneral district court within 10 days pursuant to § 16.1-133.\n\n7. Nothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction conferred on the juvenile and\ndomestic relations district court by Chapter 11 (§ 16.1-226 et seq.).\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 506; 2019, c. 240; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 187.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}