Hallowed Heritage: The Life of VirginiaTorpey, Dorothy Margaret
History
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia
Torpey, Dorothy Margaret
Virginia -- Civilization
The Commonwealth also has two Law and Chancery Courts, one located
in Roanoke and one in Norfolk. Their jurisdiction includes the
probating of wills and the settling of estates. There is a special
Chancery Court located in Richmond which has complete charge of
wills to be probated and the settling of estates in that part of
"Richmond north of the south bank of the James River." There is also
a special Law and Equity Court located in Richmond.
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, located in Norfolk, is
a special state court which has jurisdiction over cases involving
dependent, neglected and delinquent children and in cases involving
crimes--except manslaughter--against a family member.
[Illustration: _Virginia_]
The State Attorney-General is elected by the qualified voters of the
State at the same time and for the same term as the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor of the State (a four-year term of office). He
must have the same qualifications as the Governor but he is eligible
for re-election. His chief duty is to serve as the attorney-at-law
for the State; he renders opinions concerning the interpretation and
application of laws upon the request of the Governor or of various
Department heads, he presents cases to the Supreme Court of Appeals
if the State's interest is involved and he represents the State of
Virginia before the Supreme Court of the United States. The numerous
problems arising in the carrying out of these responsibilities make
it desirable and necessary for him to have legal assistants who
may aid him in furnishing aid to local Commonwealth attorneys. The
State Attorney-General is subject to removal from office in the same
manner as judges. His present salary is $17,000 annually.
_Local Governmental Units_
The State Constitution not only establishes state government
organization, but it also includes rules concerning local
governmental units which are found in Article VII. Local charters
are granted by the General Assembly. The political level immediately
below the state government level is the county. Virginia is divided
into ninety-eight counties at the present time. The last original
county to be created is Dickenson County, formed in 1880. The
largest county in the state in area is Pittsylvania with 1,022
square miles and the smallest county in area is Arlington with 24
square miles. Fairfax County is currently the most populated county
in Virginia, surpassed in population only by the city of Norfolk.
Legally, a county is a corporation. Its main functions, in general,
are the preservation of order, the protection of life and property,
the establishment of public schools, the administration of justice,
the registration of legal documents, the maintenance of highways and
bridges outside the cities and the care of the poor and the criminal.
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