How do Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts operate?
It is important to understand that J & DR District Courts differ from other courts. The welfare of the juvenile and the family, the safety of the community, and the protection of the rights of victims are the highest concern in the court’s proceedings. In addition to protecting the public and holding juvenile offenders accountable for their actions, J & DR Courts have a duty to protect the confidentiality and privacy of juveniles coming before the court and a commitment to rehabilitate those who come before the court. Because of the confidentiality laws, the clerk’s office can only provide limited information about a case and then only to those people involved with the case. In other respects, J & DR Courts generally have the same requirements and provide the same safeguards as other courts. This court does not, however, conduct jury trials. All cases are heard by a judge. J & DR Courts in Virginia handle cases involving: • juvenile delinquency and status offenses • juveniles accused o
