The General District Court handles traffic violations, hears minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors, and conducts preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies. The Court has exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and shares authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000. Examples of civil cases are landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury actions. The General District Court does not conduct jury trials. All cases in this court are heard by a judge.
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Keshara J. LusterClerk of the Court
Please see below to contact correct Department
703-792-6141 (Traffic and Criminal) 703-792-6149 (Civil) GDC line options
General District Court Information Pamphlet
Learn more about what to expect if you’re party to a case in General District Court along with your rights and duties.
Case Status Information
Check case status information online through Virginia’s General District Court Online Case Information System. You can search for cases using the plaintiff or defendant’s name, the case number, or the hearing date.
Pay Traffic Fines Online
Learn which kinds of traffic offenses are payable online and initiate your payment.