who is the prosecution attorney for roanoke circuit court

by Yazmin Yost 5 min read

Donald S. Caldwell serves as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Roanoke City Circuit Court (as well as General District Court), and Brenda Hamilton oversees the Circuit Court's affairs as its clerk.

What does the Commonwealth’s attorney in Roanoke do?

The commonwealth's attorney prosecutes misdemeanor and felony cases for the city of Roanoke and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District, General District, and Circuit Courts. Purpose. The position of commonwealth's attorney was established by the Constitution of Virginia. The voters of each city and county ...

How to contact the Roanoke County Victim/Witness program?

Appointments may be scheduled by calling 540-387-6174. The Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor, traffic offenses and felony cases for the County of Roanoke and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District, General District, and Circuit Courts. The Commonwealth’s Attorney advises citizens, law enforcement agencies and …

What does a Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney do?

Represents the County in court and in administrative proceedings; ... The office is composed of four attorneys and two support staff and is led by the County Attorney who is appointed by and reports to the Board of Supervisors. ... Roanoke County, Virginia P.O. Box 29800 Roanoke, VA 24018-0798 Phone: 540-772-2006 Staff Directory; Quick Links.

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Who is the Roanoke County Commonwealth Attorney?

Holohan, BrianCommonwealth's AttorneyStaffNameTitlePhoneHolohan, BrianCommonwealth's Attorney540-387-6174Lavinder, AaronAssistant Commonwealth's Attorney540-387-6174Jones, AnneVictim-Witness Director540-387-6181

Who is the Virginia Commonwealth Attorney?

Heather Hovermale, Commonwealth's Attorney.

What is a prosecutor in Virginia called?

In Virginia, local prosecutors are elected constitutional officers called Commonwealth's attorneys. That means change begins at the ballot box. Prosecutors decide whether anyone arrested by the police gets tried for a crime, and who gets charged with what.

Does Virginia have district attorneys?

A Virginia Commonwealth Attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case (i.e., the official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses). Other states call them district attorneys (or "D.A.s"), but they serve the same functions.Feb 25, 2019

Who is the Frederick County Commonwealth attorney?

attorney Heather D. EnloeFrederick County assistant commonwealth's attorney Heather D. Enloe (center, right) accepts the annual Warren Von Schuch Distinguished Prosecutor Award from the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys.May 10, 2021

Who is the commonwealth attorney of Orange County VA?

Diana O'ConnellPersonal Property Tax Information. Submit Online Payments.

How many prosecutors are in Virginia?

The Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys (VACA), which represents all 120 elected prosecutors in the state, has generally opposed the kinds of reforms now under discussion.Jul 20, 2020

Who is Virginia's District Attorney?

Led by United States Attorney Jessica D. Aber, the office serves more than six million residents living in Northern Virginia, the Greater Richmond Region, Hampton Roads, Tidewater, and surrounding communities.

How do you become a prosecutor in Virginia?

Steps to become a Lawyer/Attorney in VirginiaFinish Your Virginia Undergraduate Pre-Law Education.Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Go to Law School in Virginia.Take the Virginia State Bar Exam and become an Attorney.Now that You've Been Admitted to the Bar.

Who prosecutes crimes in Virginia?

The attorney for the Commonwealth's and assistant attorney for the Commonwealth's shall be a part of the department of law enforcement of the county or city in which he is elected or appointed, and shall have the duties and powers imposed upon him by general law, including the duty of prosecuting all warrants, ...

What does the attorney general do in Virginia?

The Attorney General of Virginia is a publicly elected executive official in the Virginia state government. The attorney general provides legal advice and representation for all state agencies.

How much does a DA make?

How much does a District Attorney make? The average District Attorney in the US makes $77,118. The average bonus for a District Attorney is $7,054 which represents 9% of their salary, with 100% of people reporting that they receive a bonus each year.

What is the Roanoke County Victims and Witness Program?

The Roanoke County Victim/Witness Program is here to assist in making this experience easier and assure that victims and witnesses are treated fairly and with compassion while participating in the criminal justice system.

What district is Roanoke VA in?

The Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor, traffic offenses and felony cases for the County of Roanoke and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District, General District, and Circuit Courts.

What is the number to call for the Commonwealth Attorney?

Appointments may be scheduled by calling 540-387-6174. The Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor, traffic offenses and felony cases for the County of Roanoke and the Commonwealth ...

Why is the case called Commonwealth v. Smith?

Criminal cases are brought in the name of the Commonwealth of Virginia, explaining why cases are given names such as "Commonwealth v. Smith.". Each Commonwealth’s Attorney has the dual responsibility to vigorously prosecute those who violate the law while refusing to prosecute those against whom the evidence does not indicate probable guilt.

What does the Commonwealth Attorney do?

The Commonwealth’s Attorney advises citizens, law enforcement agencies and magistrates regarding the interpretation of criminal law. The office also consists of Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys and support staff. The office does not handle civil cases such as divorces, landlord/tenant disputes, estates, wills, and real estate.

How long does a Commonwealth Attorney serve?

The voters of each city and county in Virginia elect a Commonwealth’s Attorney to serve a 4-year term.

How often does the Attorney General of Virginia get elected?

This is the role of the Attorney General of Virginia, who is elected by the state’s voters every four years. Commonwealth’s Attorneys also do not provide legal counsel to individual citizens on private matters. Citizens in need of legal assistance may call the Virginia State Bar Referral Service at 1-800-552-7977.

Staff

The office is composed of four attorneys and two support staff and is led by the County Attorney who is appointed by and reports to the Board of Supervisors.

Eldon James

Eldon James serves as the County's Legislative Liaison for its legislative interests before the General Assembly.

How many circuit courts are there in Virginia?

There are 31 circuits across the Commonwealth of Virginia, comprised of 120 individual circuit courts, and they are the highest trial courts with general jurisdiction.

What is the difference between a circuit court and a district court?

A notable difference between general district courts and circuit courts is that only circuit courts hold trials by jury. The U.S. Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to a jury. However, in criminal cases, you can only receive a trial by jury if you’ve entered a plea of not guilty. A judge hears and determines your case if you plead not guilty or no contest. If you are charged with an offense that is being heard in circuit court, you can with the consent of the court and the commonwealth attorney waive your right to a jury trial.

How long are circuit court judges elected?

Circuit court judges are elected for eight-year terms by a majority vote of both houses of Virginia’s General Assembly, and at any given time there are at least two judges serving each circuit (and as many as 15). Judges who preside over cases in circuit court must reside in the circuit they serve and must have been admitted to the Virginia Bar at least five years prior to election. Prior to the General Assembly’s vote, the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice begin taking nominations and assessing qualifications.

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