Commenced Cases Reports

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Virginia Circuit Courts Commenced Cases Reports

The data presented in these reports labeled "Misdemeanor Convictions Appealed," "Felony Charges Certified," "Charges Brought by Direct Indictment," and "Charges Resulting in Trials" (Jury and Bench Trials) are drawn from cases that were commenced within the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) of the years presented; in contrast, data presented on the 'Virginia Circuit Courts Concluded Cases Reports' tab are from cases that were concluded during this same timeframe.

Accordingly, the data reflecting commenced cases does not directly correlate with the data showing concluded cases.

Information on the relevant data points in these reports:

• Charges Brought by Direct Indictment - this is the number of cases where charges were brought by direct indictment, meaning that sworn testimony has been presented to a grand jury, and the grand jury has issued an indictment.
• Charges Resulting in Trials - this is the number of charges that resulted in either a Jury or Bench Trial.
• Felony Charges Certified - this is the number of cases where probable cause is found and the case is certified (sent) to the grand jury.
• Misdemeanor Convictions Appealed - this is the number of cases resulting in a misdemeanor conviction where the party convicted of committing the misdemeanor has appealed the conviction.