Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Once a juvenile is tried as an adult, it is indeed true that the case will be heard in circuit court. This is because the circuit court has the jurisdiction to handle felony cases and serious offenses that go beyond the capabilities of juvenile courts, which primarily focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. When a juvenile is transferred to adult court, this often signifies that the nature of the crime is severe enough to warrant adult prosecution, typically involving violent crimes or serious offenses that demonstrate a significant disregard for the law. From that point forward, all proceedings related to that specific case will take place in the circuit court—this includes any pre-trial motions, the trial itself, and sentencing. The options that suggest uncertainty or exceptions regarding the court's jurisdiction do not reflect the established legal process in cases of juvenile transfer to adult court. In such situations, the circuit court becomes the appropriate venue for all associated legal proceedings.