General District Court

10th Judicial District of Virginia

The court that most people have contact with is the General District Court. 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 $25,000. Personal Injury up to $50,000.

Examples of civil cases are landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes and personal injury actions.

There is a general district court in each city and county in Virginia. General district court judges are elected by the General Assembly for 6 year terms.

Continuance Policy

• Traffic: First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequently by Judge
• Criminal: Contact the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office

Court Schedule

• Civil: Every Thursday,except 5th Thursday's at 1:00 pm
  • Unlawful Detainers: 1:30 pm
  • Garnishments: 2:00 pm
• County Traffic and Criminal:
  • Attorney Traffic Docket: 9:00 am
  • Traffic: Every Thursday, 9:30 am
  • Criminal: Every Thursday, 10:30 am
• Conservation Police and Forestry Wardens: 2nd Monday, 1:00 pm
• Traffic (State Troopers): Tuesday, 9 am
• Advisements: Tuesday, 1 pm
• Show Causes: Tuesday, 11 am