General District Court
is the court that most people have contact with. The general district court handles most traffic violations. The general district court also hears minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors and conducts preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies.
General district courts have exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and share authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $15,000. Examples of civil cases are landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes and personal injury actions.
General district court judges are elected by the General Assembly for 6 year terms.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
In Virginia, a juvenile is any person under . The juvenile and domestic relations district court hears all matters involving juveniles such as criminal or traffic matters. Juvenile delinquency cases are cases involving a minor under the who has been accused of committing an offense that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult. Other juvenile offenses may be referred to as status offenses. Status offenses are those acts that are unlawful only because they are committed by a minor.
In addition, this court handles other matters involving the family such as custody, support and visitation. The court also hears family abuse cases, cases where adults have been accused of child abuse or neglect, and criminal cases where the defendant and alleged victim are family or household members.
There is a juvenile and domestic relations district court in each city and county. The judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district court are elected by the General Assembly for 6 year terms.
Court Schedule
- Criminal Court
Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.
2nd & 4th Fridays, 8:30 a.m.
- Civil Court
2nd Friday, 1:30 p.m.
- Small Claims Court
2nd Friday, 1:00 p.m.
- All Traffic & Local Ordinances
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
- All Juvenile & Domestic Relations
Monday, 8:30 a.m.
- Contested Custody & Support
3rd Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Continuance Policy
First continuance granted by Clerk or Judge. Subsequent continuances granted by Judge.
