Chesterfield County Circuit Court Case Search

In Chesterfield County, the Circuit Court is the central trial-level court. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office typically maintains documentation of legal proceedings in the county. Such records include paperwork on all events and actions taken from the pre-trial to the sentencing and post-trial stages. Inquirers typically conduct Circuit Court record searches for trial research, tracking case status, personal affairs (divorce, probate), or criminal record checks for employment or housing.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Chesterfield Circuit Court?

Under the Virginia court system, the Circuit Court is the principal trial court.

In Chesterfield, the Circuit Court has legal authority over more than $4,500 civil claim cases. The court also shares jurisdiction with the General District Court in cases involving $4,500 and $25,000 and civil cases concerning personal injury and wrongful death (claims less than $50,000). The court also hears divorce cases, disputes regarding wills and estates, and disagreements about real property.

The Circuit Court has legal authority over all felonies (crimes punishable by state imprisonment) and misdemeanors (crimes with jail terms of 12 months or less) initially charged in or appealed from the district court.

Additionally, the circuit court holds the legal authority to hear all appeals from the county's general district court and the juvenile and domestic relations district court.

Some specialized programs within the Circuit Court’s Treatment Court include the Recovery Court and the Veteran Treatment Docket. These programs focus on rehabilitating participants and reducing recidivism.

Chesterfield County Circuit Court

The Chesterfield County Circuit Court is the county's central trial court and possesses general jurisdiction over a wide range of civil and criminal cases.

The Chesterfield Circuit Court is pivotal to the county's justice system as a first-instance court that hears various civil and criminal cases. The court represents an equitable and efficient means for resolving different legal disputes, thereby preserving law and order.

The contact details of the Chesterfield County Circuit Court are as follows:

Chesterfield County Circuit Court - 12th Judicial Circuit
Chesterfield County Courts Building
9500 Courthouse Rd, P.O. Box 125, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748-1241
Fax: (804) 796-5625

Chesterfield County Case Lookup

Interested parties seeking a county-wide case lookup of Chesterfield County court records may access such information online or via walk-in and mail-in services.

Online Searches

Interested parties may access Chesterfield County court records via the Circuit Court Online Case Information, the General District Court Online Case Information (certain civil, criminal, and traffic cases), and the Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk Remote Access Site.

Typically, these platforms allow users to search using name, case number, or hearing date.

Users may access non-restricted civil and criminal case records in Chesterfield County through the Circuit Court Online Case Information System free of charge (no subscription required). Record searchers wishing to access probate and land records, such as deeds and wills, via the Circuit Court Clerk's Remote Access Site, must register for an account and pay a subscription fee with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Payments ($600.00 per user) may be made using cash, check, or money order payable to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk.

Under Virginia law, court records such as juvenile, adoption, and mental health commitment records are inaccessible to the public. Others include sealed or expunged records, specific family law cases, and sensitive records containing personal details (e.g., Social Security numbers, financial account details, or medical information).

Walk-in Requests

Inquirers with a written request and a copy of their valid government-issued photo ID may visit the Chesterfield County Clerk's Office (specifically the Records Office) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding public holidays).

Plain copies of court records cost $0.50 per page, while certified copies attract a charge of $2.00 per document.

Cash, check, or credit card are typically available payment options for in-person requests. However, these methods may vary by courthouse.

Mail-in Requests

Requesters must call the Circuit Court Clerk to receive a copy fee quote for the court records they seek. They must also provide specific information, such as name, document type, date, etc., to expedite the search process.

Subsequently, the applicant must mail the necessary fees (cash, check, or money order), a copy of a valid government ID, and a self-addressed envelope to the Circuit Court Clerk at the following address:

Circuit Court Clerk
P.O. Box 125
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0909

Chesterfield Circuit Court Case Search by Name

Online Search: Interested parties may perform a name-based search via the Circuit Court Online Case Information System. To begin, visit the Circuit Court Case Information page, select "Chesterfield Circuit Court," and search by inserting a party's first and last name. The searcher may utilize additional criteria such as case type, hearing date, or attorney name to refine results.

In-Person Search: Requesters may visit the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk's Office to request records. To expedite the process, they must provide record identifying details (e.g., case number, date of filing, etc.). The Office's staff may assist with name-based searches. They must bring a valid government-issued photo ID and be ready to pay the applicable fees for receiving copies of the requested documents.

Mail Requests: After receiving a copy of the fee quote for the requested record from the Clerk's Office, applicants must supply certain information, such as name, document type, date, etc., to hasten the search by court staff.

Subsequently, the information seeker must mail the necessary fees (cash, check, or money order), a copy of a valid government ID, and a self-addressed envelope to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Chesterfield Circuit Court Docket Search

A Chesterfield County court docket is a sequential documentation of all significant events in court proceedings, listing hearings, motions, verdicts, and deadlines.

Court dockets are essential to parties, court staff, judges, and Chesterfield residents because they keep them up to date on hearing dates, filings, and judgments. Parties in lawsuits also use them to review motions or evidence before a hearing. Interested parties may also adopt them when following the progress of a case and upcoming events.

To search for a Chesterfield Circuit Court docket, visit the Circuit Court Case Information portal and select Chesterfield Circuit Court" or "General District Court". Insert a case number, party name, or hearing date, choose a case type (criminal or civil), and click "Search". The search usually yields a list of dockets. Click on the case number of a record of interest for more information.

Lookup Chesterfield County Circuit Court Online

Requesters searching for Mercer County District Court records may access them via several official channels. Available online options include the Circuit Court Case Information, the General District Court Online Case Information, and the Online Case Information 2.0. Besides these online resources, third-party repositories like Virginiacourtrecords.us provide user-friendly interfaces for finding Circuit Court records.

By supplying specific case details such as case numbers and party names, users may obtain public court records from the comfort of their homes. These sites allow searchers to view and download court records easily. However, these sites operate independently of government agencies and cannot, therefore, guarantee accurate, updated, or complete information. Users should verify documents they source from non-official repositories for authenticity and accuracy.

Supreme Court vs. Circuit Court

In Virginia, the Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest appellate court in the state and reviews rulings of the circuit courts and the Court of Appeals.

On the other hand, the Chesterfield County Circuit Court is a trial-level court with general jurisdiction over a wide range of criminal and civil cases. Unlike the Supreme Court, the Circuit Court conducts trials where the judges review the evidence presented and issue rulings.

The United States Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the country. It reviews federal law cases, constitutional issues, and state disputes. Unlike the Virginia State Supreme Court, the US Supreme Court’s rulings establish definitive precedents for the country.