About the Commonwealth's Attorney
The City of Colonial Heights Commonwealth’s Attorney and staff prosecute state and local crimes and offenses. They prosecute felonies, misdemeanors, and selected traffic offenses under the state code. The Commonwealth’s Attorney is elected to a four-year term by the voters.
Responsibilities
Some of the responsibilities of the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney (OCA) include:
- Prosecuting all felony cases and appeals of misdemeanors and juvenile violations in Circuit Court
- Prosecuting misdemeanor, traffic, and serious juvenile delinquency matters in the general district and juvenile courts
- Issuing subpoenas for witnesses in the general district and juvenile courts and requesting subpoenas from the Circuit Court
- Preparing indictments for the grand jury and conducting probation violation hearings
- Answering citizen questions about criminal law
- Providing guidance to police officers when needed during the course of investigations
- Providing continuing training to police on criminal law issues when new laws are enacted and case law changes occur
- Obtaining criminal and driving record histories for trial
- Issuing subpoenas for records related to investigations
- Interviewing victims and witnesses
- Conducting legal research
- Filing Show Cause actions in all trial courts to collect restitution for victims, many of whom are Colonial Heights residents
- Prosecuting certain violations of Colonial Heights ordinances by agreement with the City Attorney
