![]() Main article: Venue in Virginia civil procedure A party may waive a lack of personal jurisdiction, but may also appear in court to contest personal jurisdiction without thereby waiving the issue. Personal jurisdiction is predicated on Virginia's long-arm statute, which generally permits Virginia courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over a party that resides in Virginia, or transacts substantial business in Virginia, or who caused an actionable injury in Virginia. ![]() The GDC must also be able to exercise personal jurisdiction over the defendant, which may be premised on the defendant's physical presence in the jurisdiction, or on the occurrence of some element of the cause of action in the jurisdiction. The only injunctive relief that the GDC may grant is in enforcing the state's Freedom of Information Act. The GDC also has no authority over domestic relations matters such as divorce, annulment, and child custody, nor does it have authority over the probate of wills, which are directed to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts. With respect to criminal cases, the GDC may only try misdemeanors. Conversely, the GDC may order the attachment of personal property valued up to $25,000, but has no authority to order the attachment of real estate, no matter how low the value. The GDC may issue distress warrants establishing the rights of a creditor to seize property, again without limit as to the amount. The maximum jurisdictional limits do not apply to any claim, counter-claim or cross-claim in an unlawful detainer action that includes a claim for damages or rent against any person obligated on a residential lease. If the real estate is used for residential purposes, then the $25,000 limit applies. In cases involving unlawful detainer of real estate used for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes, the GDC may hear cases involving claims of rent owed and property damage without limitation. In determining whether the amount involved falls within the amount in controversy requirement, interest payments and attorney's fees contracted for in a written instrument. Within these limitations, the GDC can hear cases in tort or contract, and actions in detinue seeking the return of wrongfully held personal property. The amount in controversy is determined without considering interest or attorney's fees, even if recovery of these costs is specified in the contract. It shares authority with the Virginia Circuit Court to try cases involving sums between $4,500 and $25,000. With respect to civil claims, it has sole authority to try cases involving amounts of $4,500 or less. The subject-matter jurisdiction of the GDC is narrow, both with respect to civil cases and criminal cases. Jurisdiction and venue Subject-matter jurisdiction In civil cases, they are only empowered to award legal damages, and generally cannot provide remedies in equity, such as injunctions or declaratory judgments. They do not conduct jury trials cases are heard and decided by the judge. Proceedings before the GDC are less formal than those brought before higher courts in the state. The GDCs are not courts of record, meaning that they do not keep detailed records of their proceedings and their decisions provide no precedent to be cited in other proceedings. There are 32 GDC districts, each having at least one judge, and each having a clerk of the court and a courthouse with courtroom facilities. The jurisdiction of the GDC is generally limited to traffic cases and other misdemeanors, civil cases involving amounts of under $25,000. ![]() The Virginia General District Court ( GDC) is the lowest level of the Virginia court system, and is the court that most Virginians have contact with.
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