How Does The Virginia Circuit Court Work?

The Circuit Court is the highest trial court in the state of Virginia. Generally, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over both civil cases and criminal cases. In the Virginia Circuit Court system, there are 120 Circuit Courts that are divided into 31 judicial circuits. In civil cases, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the following matters:

• Concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over cases involving claims between $4,500 to $25,000
• Exclusive jurisdiction of civil cases involving claims above $25,000
• Family matters including divorce and adoption
• Property and real estate disputes
• Disputes concerning trusts, wills, and estates

The Circuit Court’s jurisdiction on criminal cases includes:

• All felony criminal cases that are punishable by imprisonment
• Misdemeanor cases charged directly to the Circuit Court or appeals from the District Court which are punishable by up to 12 months incarceration.
• Juvenile felony cases which are transferred to the Circuit Court

The Circuit Court also has appellate jurisdiction over all appeals from the District Court and administrative agencies. In the proceedings of such appeals, the Circuit Court does not consider the earlier decision from the District Court, and the court conducts a new trial.

Civil cases in the Circuit Court commences when a plaintiff files a complaint against a person, organization, or state. The complaint is served to the defendant, who has 21 days to respond by filing a counterclaim or a cross-claim. If a defendant does not respond during the given time, the court assumes that such individuals admit to the complaint. Consequently, a judgment will be passed on the case. Typically, a judge hears civil cases concerning non-monetary claims. While a judge may also preside over civil cases involving monetary claims, the party has the right to request a jury.

In felony criminal cases, a preliminary hearing is held for arrested offenders at the district court to determine if there is a probable cause, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the crime. If probable cause is established, the case is sent to the Circuit Court’s grand jury. If the grand jury also ascertains probable cause, the offender is arraigned and must enter a plea of guilt, not guilty, or no contest.

The court has the authority to assemble grand juries to establish a probable cause and to report activities that promote criminal tendencies in the community. The grand jury only hears the state’s side and cannot proclaim if an accused is innocent or guilty. A typical grand jury comprises five to seven citizens of the city or county area the Circuit Court is located. Membership eligibility criteria include:

• Persons must be citizens of Virginia
• Must be 18 years of age and above
• Candidates must have resided in Virginia for at least a year and at least six months in the city or county the Circuit Court is located.

There are at least two judges in each Circuit Court, and larger Circuit Courts may have as many as fifteen judges. Both houses of the General assembly must vote in the majority to elect a judge for an eight-year term. Suppose a judgeship position is vacant when the General assembly is not in session. In that case, the Governor has the authority to appoint a temporary judge till the General Assembly elects one for a full term. Circuit Court judges must live in the city or county they serve, and they must have been a member of the Virginia State Bar for at least five years.

Depending on the case’s nature, interested individuals may appeal the Circuit Court’s final decision to either the Court of Appeals of Virginia or the Supreme Court of Virginia. Cases that involve offenses punishable by death, disbarment cases, and selected civil cases are appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals hears appeals on traffic infractions, domestic relations, and criminal cases that are not punishable by death.

Individuals may access records of Circuit Court proceedings online via the Circuit Court Case Information search tool. Users may search records of individual courts using the details of the case, such as names of the parties involved, case number, or hearing date. Interested persons may also visit the office of the clerk of the court where the case was filed. The location and contact information of the Circuit Courts in Virginia are:

1st Judicial Circuit Chesapeake
General District and Circuit Court Building
307 Albemarle Drive
Suite 300A
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: (757) 382–3000
Fax: (757) 382–3034

2nd Judicial Circuit Accomack, Northampton, and Virginia Beach counties
Accomack Circuit Court
23316 Courthouse Avenue
P.O. Box 126
Accomac, VA 23301–0126
(757) 787–5776
Email: SHCooper@vacourts.gov

Northampton County Courthouse
5229 The Hornes
P.O. Box 36,
Eastville, VA 23347
Phone: (757) 678–0465
Fax: (757) 678–5410

Virginia Beach Judicial Center
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385–4181

3rd Judicial Circuit Portsmouth
Portsmouth Judicial Center
1345 Court Street
P.O. Box 1217
Portsmouth, VA 23705
Phone: (757) 393–8671
Fax: (757) 393–2024

4th Judicial Circuit - Norfolk
City of Norfolk Circuit Court
150 St. Paul’s Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 769–8539

5th Judicial Circuit Isle of Wight, Suffolk, and Southampton
Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex
150 N Main Street
P.O. Box 1604
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 514–7800
Fax: (757) 514–7103

17000 Josiah Parker Circle
P.O. Box 110
Isle of Wight, VA 23397
Phone: (757) 365–6233

Southampton County Courthouse
22350 Main Street
P.O. Box 190
Courtland, VA 23837
Phone: (757) 653–2200
Fax: (757) 653–2547

6th Judicial Circuit Brunswick, Greensville, Hopewell, Prince George, Surry, Sussex
Brunswick County Circuit Court
216 N Main Street
Lawrenceville, VA 23868
Phone: (434) 848–2215
Fax: (434) 848–4307

City of Hopewell Circuit Court
100 E Broadway
P.O. Box 310
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone: (840) 541–2239
Fax: (840) 541–2438

Greensville County Circuit Court
337 S Main Street
P.O. Box 631
Emporia, VA 23847
Phone: (434) 348–4215
Fax: (434) 348–4020

Prince George County Circuit Court
6601 Courts Dr
P.O. Box 98
Prince George, VA 23875
Phone: (804) 733–2640
Fax: (804) 861–5721

Surry County Circuit Court
28 Colonial Trail E
P.O. Box 203
Surry, VA 23883
Phone: (757) 294–3161
Fax: (757) 294–0471

Sussex County Circuit Court
15088 Courthouse Rd
P.O. Box 1337
Sussex, VA 23884
Phone: (434) 246–1017
Fax: (434) 246–2203

7th Judicial Circuit Newport News city
Newport News Circuit Court
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926–8561

8th Judicial Circuit Hampton
Hampton Courthouse
237 N King Street
Hampton, VA 23669
Phone: (757) 727–6187

9th Judicial Circuit - Charles City, Gloucester, King William, King and Queen, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Williamsburg/James City County, York County (Poquoson).
Charles City Circuit Court
10780 Courthouse Road
P.O. Box 86
Charles City, VA 23030
Phone: (804) 652–2105
Fax: (804) 829–5647

Poquoson Circuit Court
300 Ballard Street
P.O. Box 371
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (757) 890–3350
Fax: (757) 890–3364

Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court
5201 Monticello Avenue
Suite 6
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 564–2242
Fax: (757) 564–2329

Gloucester County Circuit Court
7400 Justice Drive
Suite 327
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: (804) 693–2502
Fax: (804) 693–2186

Historic Courthouse
234 Allen’s Circle
P.O. Box 67
King And Queen Court House, VA 23085
Phone: (804) 785–5984
Fax: (804) 785–5698

Courts and Public Safety Building
351 Courthouse Lane
Suite 130
King William, VA 23086
Phone: (804) 769–4938
Fax: (804769–4991

Mathews County Courthouse - Liberty Square
10622 Buckley Hall Rd
P.O. Box 463
Mathews, VA 23109
Phone: (804) 725–2550
Fax: (804) 725–7456

Middlesex County Circuit Court
73 Bowden Street
P.O. Box 158
Saluda, VA 23149
Phone: (804) 758–5317
Fax: (804) 758–8637

New Kent County Courthouse
12001 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 98
New Kent, VA 23124
Phone: (804) 966–9520
Fax: (804) 966–9528

10th Judicial Circuit Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward
Appomattox County Circuit Court
297 Court Street
Suite B
P.O. Box 672
Appomattox, VA 24522
Phone: (434) 352–5275
Fax: (434) 352–2781

Buckingham County Circuit Court
13061 W James Anderson Highway
P.O. Box 107
Buckingham, VA 23921
Phone: (434) 969–4734
Fax: (434) 969–2043

Charlotte County Circuit Court
125 David Bruce Avenue
P.O. Box 38
Charlotte Court House, VA 23923
Phone: (434) 542–5147
Fax: (434) 542–4336

Cumberland County Circuit Court
1 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 8
Cumberland, VA 23040
Phone: (804) 492–4442
Fax: (804) 492–4876

Halifax County Courthouse
8 S Main Street
P.O. Box 729
Halifax, VA 24558
Phone: (434) 476–6211
Fax: (434) 476–2890

Lunenburg County Circuit Court
160 Courthouse Square
Lunenburg, VA 23952
Phone: (434) 696–2132
Fax: (434) 696–3931

Mecklenburg County Circuit Court
393 Washington Street
P.O. Box 530
Boydton, VA 23917
Phone: (434) 738–6191
Fax: (434) 738–6861

Prince Edward County Circuit Court
111 South Street
P.O. Box 304
Farmville, VA 23901
Phone: (434) 392–5145
Fax: (434) 392–3913

11th Judicial Circuit Amelia, Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Petersburg, and Powhatan
Amelia County Circuit Court
16441 Court Street
P.O. Box 237
Amelia, VA 23002
Phone: (804)561–2128
Fax: (804) 561–6364

City of Petersburg Circuit Court
7 Courthouse Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733–2367
Fax: (804) 732–5548

Dinwiddie County Courthouse
14008 Boydton Plank Road
P.O. Box 63
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Phone: (804) 469–4540
Fax: (804) 469–5386

Nottoway County Circuit Court
328 W Courthouse Road
P.O. Box 25
Nottoway, VA 23955
Phone: (434) 645–9043
Fax: (434) 645–2201

Powhatan County Circuit Court
Powhatan County Courthouse
3880 Old Buckingham Road
Suite C,
Powhatan, VA 23139
Phone: (804) 598–5660
Fax: (804) 598–5608

12th Judicial Circuit Chesterfield and Colonial Heights
Chesterfield County Courts Building
9500 Courthouse Road
P.O. Box 125
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748–1241
Fax: (804) 796–5625

City of Colonial Heights Circuit Court
550 Boulevard
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Phone: (804) 520–9364
Fax: (804) 524–8726

13th Judicial Circuit - Richmond
John Marshall Courts Building
400 N 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646–6505
Fax: (804) 646–6562

14th Judicial Circuit - Henrico
Henrico County Circuit Court
4301 E Parham Road
P.O. Box 90775
Richmond, VA 23273
Phone: (804) 501–4202

15th Judicial Circuit Caroline, Essex, Fredericksburg, Hanover, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond County, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland
Caroline County Circuit Court
112 Courthouse Lane
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633–1090
Fax: (804) 633–0519

City of Fredericksburg Circuit Court
701 Princess Anne Street
Suite 100
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 372–1066

Essex County Circuit Court
305 Prince Street
P.O. Box 445
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443–3541
Fax: (804) 445–1216

Hanover County Circuit Court
7507 Library Drive
P.O. Box 39
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365–6151

King George County Circuit Court
9483 Kings Highway
Suite 3
King George, VA 22485
Phone: (540) 775–3322
Fax: (540) 775–5466

Lancaster County Courthouse
8265 Mary Ball Road
P.O. Box 99
Lancaster, VA 22503
Phone: (804) 462–5611
Fax: (804) 462–9978

Richmond County Circuit Court
101 Court Circle
P.O. Box 1000
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333–3781
Fax: (804) 333–5396

Northumberland County Circuit Court
220 Judicial Place
P.O. Box 217
Heathsville, VA 22473
Phone: (804) 580–3700
Fax: (804) 580–2261

Spotsylvania County Circuit Court
9107 Judicial Center Lane
P.O. Box 96
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507–7600
Fax: (540) 582–2169

Stafford County Circuit Court
Judicial Center
1300 Courthouse Road
P.O. Box 69
Stafford, VA 22555
Phone: (540) 658–8750
Fax: (540) 658–4653

Westmoreland County Judicial Center
175 Polk Street
P.O. Box 307
Montross, VA 22520
Phone: (804) 493–0108
Fax: (804) 493–0393

16th Judicial Circuit Albemarle, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison, and Orange
Albemarle Circuit Court
501 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 972–4083

Charlottesville Circuit Court
315 E High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 970–3766

Culpeper County Circuit Court
Courthouse Building
135 W Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727–3438
Fax: (540) 727–3475

Fluvanna County Circuit Court
72 Main Street
Suite A,
P.O. Box 550
Palmyra, VA 22963
Phone: (434) 591–1970
Fax: (434) 591–1971

Goochland County Circuit Court
2938 River Road West
P.O. Box 196
Goochland, VA 23063
Phone: (804) 556–5353
Fax: (804) 556–4962

Greene County Courthouse
22 Court Street
P.O. Box 386
Stanardsville, VA 22973
Phone: (434) 985–5208
Fax: (434) 985–6723

Louisa County Circuit Court
100 W Main Street
P.O. Box 37
Louisa, VA 23093
Phone: (540) 967–5312
Fax: (540) 967–2705

Madison County Circuit Court
1 Main Street
P.O. Box 220
Madison, VA 22727
Phone: (540) 948–6888
Fax: (540) 948–3759

Orange County Courthouse
110 N Madison Road
Suite 300, P.O. Box
230, Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672–4030
Fax: (540) 672–2939

17th Judicial Circuit Arlington county
Arlington County Judicial Center
1425 N Courthouse Road
Suite 6700
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 228–7010

18th Judicial Circuit Alexandria city
Alexandria Courthouse
520 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 746–4044

19th Judicial Circuit Fairfax county
Fairfax County Courthouse
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 691–7320

20th Judicial Circuit Fauquier, Loudon, and Rappahannock
Fauquier County Circuit Court
29 Ashby Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
Phone: (540) 422–8100

Loudoun County Courthouse
18 E Market Street
P.O. Box 550
Leesburg, VA 20178
Phone: (703) 777–0270
Fax: (703) 777–0376

Rappahannock County Courthouse
238 Gay Street
P.O. Box 517
Washington, VA 22747
Phone: (540) 675–5350
Fax: (540) 675–5351

21st Judicial Circuit Martinsville, Henry, and Patrick
Martinsville Municipal Building
55 W Church Street
Room 205
P.O. Box 1206
Martinsville, VA 24114
Phone: (276) 403–5106
Fax: (276) 403–5232

Henry County Courthouse
3160 Kings Mountain Road
Suite B
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: (276) 634–4880

Patrick County Circuit Court
101 W Blue Ridge Street
P.O. Box 148
Stuart, VA 24171
Phone: (276) 694–7213
Fax: (276) 694–6943

22nd Judicial Circuit Danville, Franklin, and Pittsylvania
James F. Ingram Justice Center
401 Patton Street
P.O. Box 3300
Danville, VA 24543
Phone: (434) 799–5168
Fax: (434) 799–6502

Franklin County Courthouse
275 S Main Street
Suite 212
P.O. Box 567
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483–3065
Fax: (540) 483–3042

Pittsylvania County Circuit Court
1 N Main Street
P.O. Box 31
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432–7887
Fax: (434) 432–7913

23rd Judicial Circuit Roanoke City, Salem, and Roanoke counties
Roanoke City Courthouse
315 Church Avenue South West
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 853–6702
Fax: (540) 853–1024

Salem County Circuit Court
2 E Calhoun Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: (540) 375–3067
Fax: (540) 375–4039

Roanoke County Courthouse
305 E Main Street
P.O. Box 1126
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: (540) 387–6205
Fax: (540) 387–6145

24th Judicial Circuit Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Lynchburg, and Nelson
Amherst County Circuit Court
113 Taylor Street
P.O. Box 462
Amherst, VA 24521
Phone: (434) 946–9321

Bedford County Courthouse
123 E Main Street
Suite 201
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586–7632
Fax: (540) 586–6197

Campbell County Circuit Court
732 Village Highway
Rustburg, VA 24588
Phone: (434) 592–9517

Lynchburg Courthouse
900 Court Street
P.O. Box 4
Lynchburg, VA 24505
Phone: (434) 455–2620
Fax: (434) 847–1864

Nelson County Circuit Court
84 Courthouse Square
P.O. Box 10
Lovingston, VA 22949
Phone: (434) 263–7020
Fax: (434) 263–7027

25th Judicial Circuit Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Buena Vista, Craig, Highland, Rockbridge, Staunton, and Waynesboro
Augusta County Courthouse
1 E Johnson Street
P.O. Box 689
Staunton, VA 24402
Phone: (540) 245–5321
Fax: (540) 245–5318

Bath County Courthouse
65 Courthouse Hill Road
P.O. Box 180
Warm Springs, VA 24484
Phone: (540) 839–7226
Fax: (540) 839–7248

Botetourt County Courthouse
1 W Main Street
P.O. Box 219
Fincastle, VA 24090
Phone: (540) 473–8274
Fax: (540) 473–8209

Buena Vista Municipal Building
2039 Sycamore Avenue
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Phone: (540) 261–8627
Fax: (540) 261–8625

Alleghany County Courthouse
266 W Main Street
P.O. Box 670
Covington, VA 24426
Phone: (540) 965–1730
Fax: (540) 965–1732

City of Staunton Courthouse
113 E Beverley Street
Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: (540) 332–3874
Fax: (540) 332–3970

Waynesboro Circuit Court
250 S Wayne Avenue
P.O. Box 910
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Phone: (540) 942–6616
Fax: (540) 942–6774

Craig County Circuit Court
182 Main Street, Suite 4
P.O. Box 185
New Castle, VA 24127
Phone: (540) 864–6141
Fax: (540) 864–7471

Highland County Courthouse
165 Main Street
P.O. Box 190
Monterey, VA 24465
Phone: (540) 468–2447
Fax: (540) 468–2047

Rockbridge County Courthouse
20 S Randolph Street
Suite 101
Lexington, VA 24450
Phone: (540) 463–2232
Fax: (540) 463–3850

26th Judicial Circuit Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, and Winchester
Winchester Circuit Court
The Judicial Center
5 N Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: (540) 667–5770
Fax: (540) 667–6638

Clarke County Circuit Court
102 N Church Street
Berryville, VA 22611
Phone: (540) 955–5116
Fax: (540) 955–0284

Frederick County Circuit Court
The Judicial Center
5 N Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: (540) 667–5770
Fax: (540) 545–8711

Page County Circuit Court
116 S Court Street
Suite A
Luray, VA 22835
Phone: (540) 743–4064
Fax: (540) 743–2338

Rockingham County Courthouse
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564–3111
Fax: (540) 564–3127

Shenandoah County Circuit Court
112 S Main Street
P.O. Box 406
Woodstock, VA 22664
Phone: (540) 459–6150
Fax: (540) 459–6155

Warren County Courthouse
1 E Main Street
Front Royal, VA 22630
Phone: (540) 635–2435
Fax: (540) 636–3274

27th Judicial Circuit Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Radford, and Wythe
Bland County Courthouse
612 Main Street
Suite 104
P.O. Box 295
Bland, VA 24315
Phone: (276) 688–4562
Fax: (276) 688–2438

Carroll County Circuit Court
605 Pine Street
P.O. Box 218
Hillsville, VA 24343
Phone: (276) 730–3070
Fax: (276) 730–3071

Grayson County Courthouse
129 Davis Street
P.O. Box 130
Independence, VA 24348
Phone: (276) 773–2231
Fax: (276) 773–3338

Municipal Building
619 2nd Street
Radford, VA 24141
Phone: (540) 731–3610
Fax: (540) 731–3612

Floyd County Courthouse
100 E Main Street
Room 200
Floyd, VA 24091
Phone: (540) 745–9330
Fax: (540) 745–9303

Giles County Courthouse
501 Wenonah Avenue
P.O. Box 502
Pearisburg, VA 24134
Phone: (540) 921–1722
Fax: (540) 921–3825

Grayson County Courthouse
129 Davis Street
P.O. Box 130
Independence, VA 24348
Phone: (276) 773–2231
Fax: (276) 773–3338

Montgomery County Courthouse
55 E Main Street
Suite 1
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 382–5760
Fax: (540) 382–6937

Pulaski County Circuit Court
45 3rd Street North West
Suite 101
Pulaski, VA 24301
Phone: (540) 980–7825
Fax: (540) 980–7835

Wythe County Circuit Court
225 S 4th Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Phone: (276) 223–6050
Fax: (276) 223–6057

28th Judicial Circuit Bristol, Smyth, and Washington
Bristol Courthouse
497 Cumberland Street
Suite 210
Bristol, VA 24201
Phone: (276) 645–7321
Fax: (276) 821–6097

Smyth County Courthouse
109 W Main Street
Suite 1081
Marion, VA 24354
Phone: (276) 782–4044
Fax: (276) 782–4045

Washington County Courthouse
189 E Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: (276) 676–6224
Fax: (276) 676–6218

29th Judicial Circuit Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell
Buchanan County Circuit Court
1012 Walnut Street
Suite 210
P.O. Box 929
Grundy, VA 24614
Phone: (276) 935–6567
Fax: (276) 935–7086

Dickenson County Courthouse
293 Clintwood Main Street
P.O. Box 190
Clintwood, VA 24228
Phone: (276) 926–1616
Fax: (276) 926–6465

Russell County Circuit Court
53 E Main Street
P.O. Box 435
Lebanon, VA 24266
Phone: (276) 889–8023
Fax: (276) 889–8003

Tazewell County Circuit Court
101 E Main Street
Suite 202
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 385–1222
Fax: (276) 988–7501

30th Judicial Circuit Wise, Lee, and Scott
Wise County Courthouse
206 E Main Street
P.O. Box 1248
Wise, VA 24293
Phone: (276) 328–6111

Lee County Courthouse
P.O. Box 326
Jonesville, VA 24263
Phone: (276) 346–7763
Fax: (276)346–3440

Scott County Circuit Court
202 W Jackson Street
Suite 102
Gate City, VA 24251
Phone: (276) 386–3801
Fax: (276) 386–2430

31st Judicial Circuit Prince William
Prince William County Judicial Center
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792–6015
Fax: (703) 342–0342