Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Where will the trial be held if the incident involves a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old with felony malicious wounding?

1. Juvenile Domestic Relation Court (JDRC)

2. Circuit Court

3. General District Court

4. Family Court

The correct answer is: Circuit Court

In this scenario involving a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old with felony malicious wounding, the correct venue for the trial is the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, which includes serious offenses like malicious wounding. While the 16-year-old is a minor, the involvement of an adult (the 19-year-old) typically elevates the case to adult court, as felony charges are addressed in this higher court to ensure proper adjudication of the severity of the crime. Juvenile courts, such as the Juvenile Domestic Relations Court, usually handle cases involving minors charged with less serious offenses or those that can be managed within the juvenile justice system. General District Court is more suited for misdemeanor charges and preliminary hearings for felonies. Family Court generally deals with domestic matters like custody and divorce, rather than criminal cases. Therefore, considering the nature of the crime and the age of the individuals involved, the Circuit Court is indeed the appropriate venue for this case.