District Court
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
- NOTE: For emergency filings for Juvenile and Domestic Relations, email
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.
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All announcements from the Court are listed above, ordered by most recent date. Please review all of the announcements to ensure you are fully informed. This page was last updated on September 22, 2022.
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Court Locations
600 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
401 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, VA 22314
701 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
2400 West Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Our office is open 8AM-4PM Monday-Friday
Fairfax, VA 22030
John T. Frey, Clerk of the Court
WHAT WE DO
The 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.
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Mask 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.Civil Actions
Criminal Cases
Appellate Jurisdiction
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
Jury Duty
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.
Land Records
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).
Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual
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.