District Court Show
The Falls Church Combined District Court includes a General District Court and a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. These courts are responsible for hearing cases involving small claims, civil claims, traffic and criminal matters, juvenile delinquency, and domestic disputes. It is also responsible for child and family matters including custody, child support, abuse and neglect cases, and protective order cases. General District Court The General District Court has two divisions: Civil Court, and the Traffic and Criminal Court. Civil Court handles civil cases up to $15,000. It also includes a Small Claims Court handling matters of $5,000 or less. Continuances for criminal felonies are granted by agreement with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and approved by the judge. Continuances for criminal misdemeanors, driving while intoxicated (DWI), or reckless must be approved by the judge. Civil continuances are granted by agreement of both parties and must be approved by the judge. Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears all cases of youth under 18 years of age who are charged with, or are the victims of, crimes or other violations of the law in Falls Church. This court also hears petitions for custody and support, as well as any charges made by one family member or household member against another. The court is also responsible for hearing cases involving abuse and neglect of a minor child, and cases involving individuals seeking a protective order. The judge must approve all other continuances. Circuit Court The Circuit Court hears appeals from District Court along with matters of a more serious nature. When cases are appealed, they are heard in the Arlington County Circuit Court. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) GUIDANCE Mask Policy
News & AnnouncementsThe United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia proposes changes to Local C More » In response to updated CDC guidance the Court has modified the entry rules for its courthouses an More » Other ResourcesOther Court LinksCourt Locations600 Granby Street 401 Courthouse Square 701 East Broad Street 2400 West Avenue
CONTACT INFORMATION:Our office is open 8AM-4PM Monday-Friday 4110 Chain Bridge RoadFairfax, VA 22030 John T. Frey, Clerk of the Court WHAT WE DOThe Fairfax Circuit Court serves the residents of Fairfax County and Fairfax City. The Fairfax Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit) is the trial court of general jurisdiction and is the largest trial court in Virginia, composed of fifteen full-time trial judges. It has authority to try a full range of cases, both civil and criminal, jury and non-jury. Civil cases include a wide variety of business disputes, personal injury, and domestic relations cases. The Court hears felony criminal cases. A felony is a crime punishable by commitment to the State penitentiary for one year or more. The Court also hears appeals of misdemeanor and traffic cases from the General District Court and Juvenile Courts. Learn More Department ResourcesRelated ResourcesMask Guidance - Masks are optional to enter the Courthouse, to include public and employee corridors. Mask requirements in courtrooms are at the discretion of the presiding judge (February 28, 2022 Order). In civil cases,
the Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims from $4,501 to $50,000 and exclusive original jurisdiction over monetary claims exceeding $50,000. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over other matters, including: attachments, adoptions, divorce proceedings, disputes concerning wills, trusts and estates, and controversies involving property. In criminal
cases, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the trial of all felonies (offenses that may be punished by imprisonment of more than one year) and of those misdemeanors (offenses carrying a penalty of not more than twelve months in jail) that were appealed from district court or a grand jury indictment. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over juveniles who are charged with felonies and whose cases have been transferred or certified by the judge of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District
Court for trial in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court has appellate jurisdiction over appeals from General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Appeals from these district courts are heard de novo; that is, the cases are tried from the beginning as though there had been no prior trial. The parties have the right to a jury trial in the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court's appellate
jurisdiction also extends to appeals from certain administrative agencies Potential Jurors are randomly selected from voter registration lists. The selection method is designed to produce a cross section of the community. Approximately 50,000 prospective Jurors are randomly selected each year to receive a Juror Questionnaire. When these Questionnaires are returned to the court, they are reviewed by jury commissioners to
determine which citizens are qualified to serve as Jurors. These names make up the master jury list for the year. Men and women, 18 years of age and over and from all walks of life, have an equal opportunity to be called for jury service. The Land Records department accepts documents from property transactions in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. Transactions involving property located within the City of Falls Church
must be recorded with the Arlington County Circuit Court. Real property transactions involving property located in the City of Alexandria must be recorded with the Alexandria Circuit Court. All document types can be submitted over-the-counter and electronically via the Court's Electronic Filing System (EFS). Attorneys and persons representing themselves can find Circuit Court procedures and forms
in the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual. This detailed text, including forms, is available to the public and attorneys in the Fairfax Public Law Library. Individual copies of the manual may be obtained from the Fairfax Bar Association. Are court cases public record in Virginia?Code § 17.1-208 provides that, with certain exceptions, any records or papers of any circuit court that are maintained by the clerk of the circuit court “shall be open to inspection by any person.” The Supreme Court of Virginia has interpreted this provision to create “a statutory presumption of openness to the public. ...
How do I find someone's court records?There are three ways to look at court records: Go to the courthouse and ask to look at paper records. Go to the courthouse and look at electronic court records. If your court offers it, look at electronic records over the internet.
How do I find local court cases?PACER allows anyone with an account to search and locate appellate, district, and bankruptcy court case and docket information. Register for a PACER account. Use the PACER Case Locator if you are not sure which specific federal court the case was filed.
How do I find someone's charges in Virginia?The Sheriff of a county or the Chief of Police usually creates and maintains public arrest records. A requester can conduct an arrest search for these data with the state police of the department of public safety. There may be low-cost or free arrest records available, but usual copy and certification fees apply.
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