Court records in Richmond, Virginia, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the clerks of the district courts and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. RichmondVACourt.us will help you find public information about the city's court records. Additional sources include the Virginia court system's online case search system, the Richmond Circuit Court Clerk's office, and other government resources.
Richmond Court System Overview
Richmond is an independent city in the state of Virginia, functioning separately from any county. The city's Circuit Court belongs to the 13th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court also serve the city's residents.
The Circuit Court handles serious criminal cases, large civil claims, and appeals from district courts. Virginia magistrates issue arrest and search warrants, set bail, and conduct some preliminary procedures—they operate 24/7.
John Marshall Courts Building
Courts Serving Richmond
Several courts of different jurisdiction levels serve the residents of Richmond:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit) | 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-646-6505 |
| Richmond General District Court | 920 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-646-6431 |
| Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court | 1600 Oliver Hill Way, Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-646-2942 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (Richmond Division) | 701 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-916-2100 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia | 701 E. Broad Street, Suite 4000, Richmond, VA 23219 | 804-916-2400 |
What Types of Cases Richmond Courts Hear
Richmond courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases: large and small claims, small claims court cases
- Family law: divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate cases: estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases: juvenile offenses, child protection cases, adoptions
- Traffic violations and DUI cases
Each category falls under a specific court depending on jurisdiction—more details in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Richmond
The Richmond General District Court is the court of first instance for most everyday legal matters. It handles criminal misdemeanors, conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases, and resolves civil claims up to $25,000. Traffic violations, including DUI, are also handled here.
Felony cases are transferred to the Circuit Court after the preliminary hearing, where they are heard by a judge or jury. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the district court—the party has the right to a full new trial (de novo). Civil claims over $25,000 are filed directly with the Circuit Court.
Magistrate Court Cases in Richmond
Magistrates in Virginia are not judges in the traditional sense. They operate 24/7 and perform important functions at the initial stage of the criminal process: issuing arrest and search warrants, setting bail, and accepting citizen complaints.
A magistrate can consider a request for an Emergency Protective Order outside of court hours. Small claims civil cases in Virginia are limited to $5,000 and are heard in the General District Court, not by a magistrate. For minor offenses and preliminary hearings in felony cases, the magistrate initiates the process, which is then transferred to the appropriate court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Richmond
Family Law. Divorce, property division, and child support cases are handled by the Circuit Court. Custody, visitation, protective orders, and paternity establishment fall under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
Probate Cases. Estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators fall under the Circuit Court's competence. The Circuit Court Clerk accepts wills for probate and maintains the probate case registry.
Juvenile Matters. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles juvenile offenses, child protection cases, and adoptions. Juvenile case records are confidential under Virginia law.
How Cases Move Through the Richmond Court System
- Case Initiation: criminal complaint through a magistrate or police; civil claim filed with the court office; family petition filed with the appropriate court.
- Judge Assignment: the case is assigned to a specific judge according to the court's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings: in criminal cases—arraignment; in civil cases—planning conference.
- Pretrial Phase: exchange of evidence (discovery), filing of motions, plea negotiations in criminal cases.
- Trial: court trial before a judge or jury, settlement in civil cases, guilty plea in criminal cases.
- Post-Judgment: sentencing, appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, enforcement of the court decision.
An appeal from the General District Court to the Circuit Court is filed within 10 days and is heard as a new case (de novo trial).
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Richmond
The administration of Richmond courts is carried out by the chief judge of the Circuit Court along with the court administrator. Local rules for the 13th Judicial Circuit are available on the Virginia court system's website.
Most court records are public according to § 17.1-208 of the Virginia Code. The Circuit Court Clerk's office provides access to land records, court decisions, marriage licenses, and other documents. Some records—such as juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family cases—have restricted access.
Hearings are usually open to the public. To attend, simply appear at the courtroom at the scheduled time. Some hearings may be held remotely via video link—check with the specific court office.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Richmond
- Online Case Search: the Case Status and Information system allows you to search for criminal and civil cases in all state courts, including Richmond.
- Circuit Court Records and Deed Search: the deed search tool on the city of Richmond's website provides access to land records and real estate documents.
- City Inmate Search: the Richmond Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search tool for the Richmond City Jail.
- State Inmate Search: the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator shows the location and release date of individuals under VADOC custody.
- Virginia Sex Offender Registry: available on the Virginia State Police website at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov.
- Vital Records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): the Office of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health issues certified copies. They can also be obtained through DMV offices.
- Richmond Police: the Richmond Police Department publishes contact reports and crime statistics on its website.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources: forms for filing claims, motions, and other procedural documents are available on the respective courts' websites and through RichmondVACourt.us.