General District Courts and  Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts   The district courts are considered "courts not of record." The two types of district courts are:  General District Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relation District Courts. In some judicial districts, the two courts are combined. General District Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases in which the amount of money involved does not exceed $1,000. They exercise concurrent jurisdiction with circuit courts in civil cases where the amount at issue is more than $1,000 but less than $7,000. These courts exercise jurisdiction over cases arising under the occupational safety and health laws when the penalty will not exceed $10,000 per violation, excluding interest and costs. Their jurisdiction also extends to suits in interpleaded involving personal property where the amount of money or value of property is not more than the jurisdictional limits of the court. General district courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over offenses against county or town ordinances. They also have jurisdiction over all other misdemeanors and traffic infractions occurring in the county, and they may conduct preliminary hearings on felony cases. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over cases involving the custody, visitation, support, control, or placement of children who are alleged to be abused, neglected, in need of services, in need of supervision, delinquent, or who are abandoned by their parents or custodians. These courts also have exclusive original jurisdiction over proceedings involving juveniles who have been accused of traffic violations. They exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the commitment of mentally ill children, emergency surgical or medical treatment for certain children, and offenses committed by one family member against another member of the family. Every county in Virginia is served by both a general district court, and juvenile and domestic court. Contact Us Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. General District Judge Gammiel Poindexter Juvenile & Domestic Relations Judge Charles A. Perkinson, Jr. 315 South Main Street Emporia, VA 23847 Phone (434) 634-5400 Fax (434) 634-0049