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Diagram of Virginia's Judicial System,

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia's judicial system consists of four levels of courts. Judges are elected by the state legislature for a specific term.

Supreme Court: Virginia's court of last resort reviews decisions of the circuit courts and the Court of…

Albemarle County Land Use Handbook, Chapter 5,

Albemarle County Attorney's Office

This document explains the history of the Dillon Rule and its implementation. The handbook also discusses the rule's limitations on a locality’s land use powers. Some contentious issues include: efforts to provide affordable housing;…

Liason Officers Between State Agencies and the General Assembly - 2009 ,

Division of Legislative Automated Systems

This document is part of a list of liaison officers between state agencies, the General Assembly and its staff that is published annually. This selection includes a short description of the liaison process and the legislation governing it. In…

Map of Virginia’s Judicial Circuits and Districts,

Supreme Court of Virginia

This map of Virginia's judicial circuits and districts helps show the way the levels of courts in the state court system. What is the difference between a circuit and a district court? How are the courts organized, and what are their essential…

Judicial Power and the Supreme Court of Virginia (Excerpt from the Constitution of Virginia),

Virginia General Assembly

This two-page selection from the Virginia constitution outlines the judicial power and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

What role does the Supreme Court of Virginia play in Virginia's government? Which branch of government…

Handbook for Grand Jurors,

Judicial Conference of the United States

There are two kinds of federal juries in the United States. Petit juries (or "trial" juries) decide whether or not someone is guilty or not guilty. Grand Juries decide whether or not someone can be "indicted" for a charge. In other words, they…

Model Grand Jury Charge,

Judicial Conference of the United States

There are two kinds of federal juries in the United States. Petit juries (or "trial" juries) decide whether or not someone is guilty or not guilty. Grand Juries decide whether or not someone can be "indicted" for a charge. In other words, they…

Great Britain: About the House of Lords,

House of Lords

Prepared by the British government, this document provides an overview of the House of Lords, Parliament, and the Supreme Court system in Great Britain. The House of Lords is the second chamber of British Parliament, and its members are not elected…

Marbury v. Madison (1803),

U.S. Supreme Court

This document provides the text of the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison (1803), the first Supreme Court case which declared an act of Congress illegal. That action created a legal precedent of Judicial Review.

Amendments 11-27 to the U.S. Constitution,

U.S. Government

The first ten amendments to the U.S. costitution consist of the Bill of Rights, passed as a group in 1789. The following amendments span from 1795 to 1992. Amendments 14, 15, 19, and 26 are of particular interest, as they all have to do with voting…