Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Criminal Law

Effective January 1, 1985, the Court of Appeals of Virginia was established. The new intermediate appellate court possesses exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from any final judgment of conviction in a circuit court for a traffic violation or a crime, except where a sentence of death is imposed. The operation of the court of appeals is likely to have a twofold effect on the criminal justice system. First, it should reduce the current backlog of cases in the supreme court; second, it should produce an increase in the number of reported criminal decisions, thereby facilitating an understanding of criminal law and procedure.

For the first time, therefore, a review of criminal law developments in the commonwealth must include the work of an additional court.