Virginia Government

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the branches, key officials, legislative facts, and court system of Virginia government.

Governor of Virginia

The Chief Executive Officer of the state who oversees the execution of state laws and policies, prepares the biennial state budget, proposes legislation to the General Assembly, and serves a $4$-year term with a prohibition on serving two consecutive terms.

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic Governor of Virginia identified as the Chief Executive Officer who prepares the biennial state budget and oversees the execution of state laws.

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

An executive officer elected to a $4$-year term with unlimited re-election eligibility, whose duties include presiding over the Senate in session, backing up the Governor, and carrying out assigned gubernatorial tasks.

Gazala Hashmi

The Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Virginia whose primary duty is to preside over the Senate when it is in session.

Attorney General of Virginia

The state's highest legal officer elected to a $4$-year term who oversees all law enforcement activity, provides legal advice to the Governor and General Assembly, defends the state and state laws in court, and collects debts owed to state institutions.

Jay Jones

The Democratic Attorney General of Virginia who serves as the state's highest legal officer and oversees all law enforcement activity.

Virginia General Assembly

The bicameral legislative body of Virginia consisting of the Senate and the House of Delegates, recognized as the oldest continuous legislative body in the Americas.

Senate of Virginia

The upper house of the Virginia General Assembly consisting of $40$ members representing single-member districts who serve $4$-year terms with unlimited re-election eligibility.

Virginia House of Delegates

The lower house of the Virginia General Assembly consisting of $100$ members representing single-member districts who serve $2$-year terms with unlimited re-election eligibility.

Biennial Budget

A state budget prepared by the Governor every two years.

Original Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court to review a case that has previously been heard in another court and appealed.

Exclusive Jurisdiction

A condition in which a case can only be heard in one specific type of court.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

A condition in which multiple courts have authority to hear a case, such as civil monetary claims exceeding $\$4,500$ but not exceeding $\$15,000$.

Supreme Court of Virginia

The highest court in the state, composed of seven justices appointed by the Governor and approved by the General Assembly for $12$-year terms, holding both original and appellate jurisdiction.

Court of Appeals of Virginia

An intermediate appellate court consisting of seventeen judges who serve $8$-year terms and sit in panels of at least three judges to provide convenient access across geographic areas.

Circuit Courts of Virginia

The only trial courts of general jurisdiction in Virginia, possessing exclusive original jurisdiction over civil claims exceeding $\$15,000$, all felony criminal offenses, and appeals from district courts or administrative agencies.

General District Courts of Virginia

Lower trial courts that handle state law misdemeanors, local ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and civil monetary claims.

Misdemeanor (Virginia)

Any criminal charge carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $\$2,500$, or both.

Felony (Virginia)

A serious criminal offense that may be punished by imprisonment of more than one year, under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.

General Assembly Party Breakdown

The party control depicted showing $21$ Democrats and $19$ Republicans in the Senate, and $64$ Democrats and $36$ Republicans in the House of Delegates.