In many instances, a citizen's first contact with Virginia's Judicial System is with a magistrate. A principal function of a magistrate is to provide an independent, unbiased review of complaints of criminal conduct brought by law enforcement or the general public.
The Virginia Judicial System is comprised of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, circuit courts in 31 judicial circuits, general district and juvenile and domestic relations district courts in 32 districts, and magistrates in offices in 32 districts.