Courts & Judiciary

• Circuit Court Docket
• Concealed Handgun Permit
• Deed Calculation
• Divorce
• Jury Duty
• Marriage License
• Notary Public
• Probate
• Small Claims Court
• Traffic Tickets – Online Payments
• Virginia Judicial System Resources
• Contacts
• Court Locations and Directions

Courts & Judicial Offices

• Circuit Court
• Circuit Court Judges' Chambers
• Commonwealth's Attorney
• General District Court
• Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
• Juvenile Court Services
• Magistrate
• Public Defender

Courts – General Information & Contacts

Hours & Locations

Chesapeake Circuit Court

307 Albemarle Drive – 3rd Floor
757-382-3000
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Chesapeake General District Court

307 Albemarle Drive – 1st Floor
757-382-3100
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Chesapeake Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

301 Albemarle Drive, 2nd Floor
757-382-8100
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Driving Directions & Parking

• Map of Municipal Complex
• Driving Directions to Circuit & General District Court
• Driving Directions to Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
• Public Transportation via Hampton Roads Transit
  • Bus Schedule for Chesapeake Courts – Route 13

Circuit Court

Most Requested

• Concealed Handgun Permit
• Jury Duty
• Marriage Licenses
  • Copies of Marriage License
  • Marriage Commissioners

Other Services

• Divorce Manual – Uncontested
• Divorce Manual – Contested
• Expungement of Criminal Records
• Grand Juries
• Judgments
• Name Change – Adult
• Name Change – Child
• Notary Public
• Payments, Deferred
• Probate

General Information

There is a circuit court in each city and county in Virginia. The circuit court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Virginia. The circuit court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $15,000. It shares authority with the general district court to hear matters involving claims between $4,500 and $15,000. The circuit court has the authority to hear serious criminal cases called felonies.

The circuit court also handles family matters, including divorce. In addition, the circuit court hears cases appealed from the general district court and from the juvenile and domestic relations district court.

• Tell Me About Circuit Court
• Circuit Courts Informational Pamphlet

Circuit Court – 3rd Floor

Circuit Court Homepage

Online Features

• Circuit Court Case Information
  Online access to selected Circuit Courts Cases may be searched using name, case number, or hearing date.
• Docket
  The Circuit Court Docket will be posted daily by 5 p.m. for the next upcoming court sessions.
• Deed Calculation
  Online – Calculate fees and taxes for deeds and contracts for selected courts.
• Circuit Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation
  
  • How to Calculate Filing Fees for Circuit Courts
• Trade Names (Business) – Forms

Resources

• Glossary – Terms used in Court
• Overcoming the Stress of Jury Duty
• "What You Need to Know About Serving As a Juror" (video – opens in a new pop-up window)
• Virginia's Circuit Court Resources

General District Court

Most Requested

• Traffic Tickets – Pay Online

Other Services

• Small Claims Court

General Information

Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal felonies and civil cases involving more than $15,000, shares jurisdiction with the General District Court in civil cases involving between $4,500 and $15,000 and hears civil, criminal, and traffic cases appealed from lower courts.

• All About General District Court
• What You Should Know for Your Visit
  Includes information on:
  • How to Start Your Suit
  • Types of Cases in General District Court

General District Court – 1st Floor

General District Court Homepage

Online Features

• General District Court Forms
• Lookup General District Court Case Information (Criminal, Civil & Traffic)
• Traffic Tickets – Prepayable Offenses

Resources

• Glossary – Terms Used in Court

Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court Homepage

General Information

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles criminal and traffic violations by juveniles and serious family relations problems. Other sections of the court enforce the judges' orders including probation and child support, and assist in finding temporary homes for children under court supervision.

• Tell Me About J & DR Court

Online Features

• Forms – Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court District

Resources

• Glossary – Terms Used in Court

Commonwealth's Attorney

Services

• Victim/Witness Assistance Program (Sheriff's Office)

General Information

The Commonwealth's Attorney (elected 4-year term Constitutional Officer) serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the City of Chesapeake and has as his/her primary responsibility the prosecution of all felony violations of the Criminal Code of Virginia and such misdemeanor offenses as he/she deems appropriated. The Commonwealth's Attorney further serves as legal advisor to many of the members of the criminal justice system, city government, and the general public.

Juvenile Court Services – First District Court Service Unit

Juvenile Court Services Homepage

Services

• Expungement (Destruction of Court Records)
  • Motion and Order for Expungement and Destruction of Juvenile Records [Form DC-587]
    • Instructions

General Information

Associated with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is a court service unit, sometimes called the Juvenile Probation department, which serves the court and facilitates the rehabilitation or treatment of those who come before the court.

Magistrate

Magistrate Homepage

General Info

The principal function of the magistrate is to provide an independent, unbiased review of complaints brought to the office by police officers, sheriffs, deputies, and citizens. In addition, magistrates may assist the public by providing information on the judicial system processes and procedures.

• Tell Me About the Magistrate
  
  

Public Defender's Office

General Info

The Chesapeake Public Defender Office is an independent state agency that specializes in representing people charged with criminal offenses who can't afford a lawyer. The Public Defender Office receives cases only by appointment from the court. It handles cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, General District Court, and Circuit Court for the City of Chesapeake. It also handles appeals in the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court. Public defenders represent both juveniles in delinquency cases and adults on all criminal offenses that could lead to jail time.

Public Defender's Office – Chesapeake

Current Public Defender: Lakishi Stevenson

Address:

135 Hanbury Road West, Suite D
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Phone: 757-382-0098
Fax: 757-382-0096
Email: lstevenson@vadefenders.org
Virginia Public Defenders Website: www.vadefenders.org

Virginia Judicial System Resources

General Information

• Virginia Court Systems
• Virginia Courts in Brief
• FAQs
• For Citizens
• For Legal Community
• For Students/Teachers

Virginia Judicial websites

• Virginia Courts Automated Information System
• Virginia's Judicial System
• Virginia Courts

Virginia Courts Automated Information System

• Supreme Court of Virginia Case Information
• Court of Appeals of Virginia Case Information
• Circuit Court Case Information
• District Court Case Information
• Deed Calculation

Programs & Services

• Mediation
• Drug Treatment Courts

Resources

• Educational Services – Resources & Manuals
• Forms for all Courts – Virginia Courts
• Legal Links
• Legal Publications
• Search for Justices, Judges, Clerks, and Chief Magistrates
• Virginia Crime Codes

Contacts – Quick Reference List