Fairfax Appeals Process

If you would like to appeal a judgment or decision in Fairfax County, Virginia, a lawyer can help you with Fairfax appeals filing process and litigating appeals in Virginia.

A qualified attorney familiar with the appeals system can meet with you to discuss the details of your case in order to plan the best strategy going forward. Navigating the appeals systems in Virginia can be difficult. It is important you hire the right team to help you.

General District Courts

General District Courts are the lowest courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These courts make decisions on many types of misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil matters. Misdemeanors are classified as follows:

• Class One Misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine not exceeding $2,500
• Class Two Misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment up to six months and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000
• Class Three Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine not exceeding $500
• Class Four Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine not exceeding $250

The General District Courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia also handle Traffic Court cases. No matter the kind of case, a Fairfax appeals lawyer can work with individuals in an effort to appeal their ruling.

Fairfax Circuit Court

The higher court, the Fairfax Circuit Court, deals with some misdemeanors and all felonies. A Fairfax appeals lawyer can represent individuals charged with either type of offense. The different classes of felonies are:

• Class One Felonies can be punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty
• Class Two Felonies can be punishable by no more than 20 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000
• Class Three Felonies a term of imprisonment ranging from five to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class Four Felonies can be punishable by a term of imprisonment ranging from two to 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000
• Class Five Felonies can be punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 10 years, or jail time not exceeding 12 months and/or a fine of not more than $2,500.
• Class Six Felonies can be punishable by a term of imprisonment ranging from one to five years, or by jail time not exceeding 12 months and/or a fine of not more than $2,500

If the defendant wants to appeal a decision that was made in the General District Court of Virginia, the lowest court in Virginia’s judicial system, the appeal would have to be made in a Circuit Court where an individual will be allowed a jury trial unless they explicitly waive their right to have one. A Fairfax appeals attorney can help individual.

Appealing Through the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court

The Virginia Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court are the highest courts in the Commonwealth. If the case originated in the Fairfax Circuit Court, then an appeal would be able to be made in either higher court.

One of the main differences between the two is that only the Virginia Supreme Court can review decisions in which the death penalty was imposed. The Supreme Court of Virginia has authority to hear appeals in regards to all lower court decisions, including those which seek a review of an imposed death penalty.

Contact a Fairfax Appeals Attorney Today

A Fairfax appeals lawyer will fight for your rights in court. Contact an experienced attorney who can facilitate your case review, and discuss any errors made in any prior decisions. Call or email a skilled attorney today to get started.