Study Guide for test on SOLs CE.10d,CE.10a part2, CE.7a,c,and d,CE.8a-c, CE.9c
CE.10a part 2
1. Virginia has its own separate court system, whose organization and jurisdiction
are derived from Virginia’s constitution and state laws.
2. The Virginia Courts:
Virginia Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: appellate and limited original
Judges or Justices? justices
Jury? no
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Jurisdiction: appellate
Judges or justices? judges
Jury? no
This court reviews decisions of circuit courts
Circuit Court
Appellate jurisdiction for what cases? Cases from district courts
Original jurisdiction for what cases? Felony criminal cases and for certain civil cases
Judges or justices? judges
Jury? yes
The District Courts:
General District Court
Jurisdiction: original for misdemeanors and civil cases generally involving lower
dollar amounts
Judges or justices? judge
Jury? No
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Jurisdiction: original
Judges or justices? judge
Jury? no
CE.7a
3. The Virginia Constitution distributes power among the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches of the state government.
4. The legislative branch in Virginia is the GeneralAssembly. It is bicameral, consisting of the
Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates. They meet annually for a fixed number of days.
5. The governor exercises executive power in Virginia. He/she is elected to a 4-year term.
6. The governor appoints members of the cabinet, who oversee specific functions of the
governemnt.
7. The lieutenant governor and the attorney general are also elected for a 4-year term of office.
CE.7c
8. What is the lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly?
a. Introducing a bill
b. Working in committees
c. Debating the bill on the floor of each house
d. Voting on the bill in each house
e. Sending the bill to the governor to sign into law
9. Elected officials in the Virginia general Assembly write laws and take action is response to
problems or issues.
10. Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation.
11. What are the primary issues in the legislative process at the state level?
a. education
Why? To promote an informed and engaged citizenry
Example: to establish minimum standards for local schools
b. public health
Why? To promote and protect the health of its citizens
Example: fund health benefits
c. environment
Why? To protect natural resources
Example: improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay
d. state budget
Why? To approve a biennial (2 year) budget prepared by the governor
e. revenue
Why: to levy and collect taxes
CE.7d
12. From where does the governor of Virginia get his/her formal powers? The Virginia Constitution
13. The governor of Virginia plays several roles :
a. Chief of state
b. Chief legislator (ex: State of the Commonwealth Address)
c. Chief administrator
d. Party chief
e. Commander-in-chief
14. What do cabinet secretaries and departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards
do?
a. Administer laws
b. Enforce laws
c. Regulate aspects of business and the economy
d. Provide services
CE.8a-c
15. What are the units of local government in Virginia? County, town, and city
16. From where do the local governments get their powers? Virginia Constitution
and acts of the General Assembly.
17. Do all localities have the same powers? no
Where are the powers of incorporated cities listed? In their charters
18. County government:
a. Who exercises legislative powers? An elected board of supervisors
What do they do? Enact ordinances (local laws) and adopt an annual budget
b. Who exercises executive powers? appointed county manager or administrator
c. What exercises judicial powers? judges of the district courts and circuit courts of Virginia
are in each locality
19. Town government:
a. Who exercises legislative powers? an elected town council and a mayor who is elected
or appointed by the council
b. What do they do? enact ordinances and adopt an annual budget
c. Who exercises executive powers? appointed town manager or administrator
d. What exercises judicial powers? judges of the district courts and circuit courts are in
each locality
20. City government
a. Who exercises legislative powers? an elected city council and a mayor who is either
elected or appointed by the council
b. What do they do? Enact ordinances and adopt an annual budget
c. Who exercises executive powers? appointed city manager or administrator
d. What exercises judicial powers? judges of the district courts and circuit courts are in
each locality
21. The Virginia Constitution requires that voters in every locality elect a sheriff, a clerk of the
circuit court, a commissioner of the revenue, and a treasurer.
22. Each Virginia county and city has an elected or appointed school board, which oversees the
operation of the K-12 schools in the county or city.
23. Local governments in Virginia exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to:
a. Enforce state and local laws
b. Promote public health
c. Protect public safety
d. Educate children
e. Protect the environment
f.
Regulate land use
g. Levy and collect taxes
24. On what level of government can individuals have the greatest influence? Local
CE.9c
25. Sometimes local governments need to react to issues happening internationally. Some issues
and events that would require action would be:
a. Public health concerns in the event of a pandemic
b. Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism
c. Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy
d. Policies to protect the environment (e.g., wildlife protection)