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Murder / Manslaughter in Virginia

485 cases across 12 jurisdictions · 2025

According to 485 public court records from 2025, Murder / Manslaughter cases across 12 Virginia jurisdictions have an average dismissal rate of 53.3% and an average conviction rate of 40.4%. Statewide, 12.6% of Murder / Manslaughter charges are reduced to a lesser offense. The average fine is $164.

Dismissal rate includes judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi (prosecutor-dropped cases). Conviction rate includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial. Rates are averaged across 12 jurisdictions with available data. Data covers 2025 public court records. Last updated: May 2, 2026

485
Total Cases
53.3%
Avg Dismissal Rate
40.4%
Avg Conviction Rate
$164
Avg Fine
29.0 years
Avg Sentence
12.6%
Charge Reduction Rate

Select Your Jurisdiction

Outcomes vary significantly by court. Type your county or city below to find it quickly.

12 jurisdictions

Comparison by Court

Jurisdiction Cases Dismissal Rate Conviction Rate Median Duration Avg Fine Avg Sentence
Richmond City 138 67.7% 32.3% 4.4 months — 25.5 years
Hampton 54 59.2% 40.8% 4.1 months $250 25.0 years
Suffolk 48 79.2% 15.6% 5.7 months — 10.0 years
Prince William County 39 44.4% 33.3% 4.3 months — 18.3 years
Norfolk 34 33.3% 40.0% 4.9 months — 29.8 years
Virginia Beach 31 16.7% 83.3% 3.7 months — 30.0 years
Petersburg 25 50.0% 33.3% 4.4 months $50 49.7 years
Spotsylvania County 25 36.4% 45.5% 4.5 months — 69.4 years
Newport News 24 25.0% 75.0% 3.0 months — 20.0 years
Henrico County 23 42.9% 50.0% 7.1 months — 18.1 years
Chesterfield County 22 50.0% 50.0% 3.5 months — 5.0 years
Roanoke City 22 57.1% 42.9% 4.3 months — 58.7 years

Source: Virginia public court records, 2025 — VirginiaCourtFile.com

Case Dismissed?

If your Murder / Manslaughter case was dismissed or dropped, you may be eligible to have it sealed from your record.

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Data source: Virginia public court records, 2025. 485 cases analyzed across 12 jurisdictions. Last updated May 2, 2026. — VirginiaCourtFile.com

Common Questions

Statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Past outcomes do not predict future results.

Suffolk has the highest dismissal rate for Murder / Manslaughter at 79.2%. Use the comparison table above to see how all Virginia jurisdictions compare for dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines.
A total of 485 Murder / Manslaughter cases were filed across 12 Virginia jurisdictions in 2025, with an average dismissal rate of 53.3%. Click on any jurisdiction above to see detailed statistics for that court.
The average conviction rate for Murder / Manslaughter across Virginia is 40.4%, based on 2025 public court records. Rates vary by jurisdiction — use the comparison table above to see how each court differs. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.

What's Next

Murder / Manslaughter dismissal rates range from 17% to 79% across Virginia. Your court matters. An attorney who handles Murder / Manslaughter cases in your court can review your case — free.

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