Suffolk, Virginia is an independent city in eastern Virginia. Suffolk’s status as an independent city means that it does not belong to any particular county. By area, Suffolk is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, Suffolk has a population of roughly 81,000 residents, including several Newport News lawyers and Virginia Beach lawyers, which makes it the Commonwealth’s smallest city by population. Peanuts comprise the bulk of the Suffolk area economy.   In fact, Suffolk is best known for being the birthplace of Mr. Peanut, the mascot of the Planters Peanut Company. Planters Peanut Company was founded in Suffolk in 1912. Peanuts are so important to Suffolk that a popular AM radio station adopted the call letters W.L.P.M. which stands for: Worlds Largest Peanut Market.

The Virginia legal system is composed of two different trial level courts: the Circuit Court and the General District Court. Lawyers representing clients in Suffolk will try their cases in either the Suffolk Circuit Court or the Suffolk General District Court. The Suffolk General District Court hears civil cases involving controversies up to $15,000. In addition, it hears cases related to traffic infractions and misdemeanors. The Suffolk Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases that involve damages of at least $15,000. The Suffolk Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over family law cases.

There are many experienced lawyers in Suffolk who can represent your case in court. Suffolk lawyers specialize in real estate law, employment law, family law, and criminal cases.

When looking for a pre-screened lawyer in Suffolk to represent your case, LegalMatch can help. LegalMatch has an extensive directory of pre-screened lawyers, who are in good standing the State Bar of Virginia, for you to choose from. LegalMatch also allows you to review a lawyer’s experience, availability, and rates for free and without obligation.

For more information about the laws in Suffolk, please visit the following links:

• Suffolk Law Library
• Virginia Judicial System
• Virginia Bar Association