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    • Circuit Court – 17th Judicial Circuit

    The Clerk of the Circuit Court is an elected constitutional office in each county and large city in Virginia. Commonly referred to as Clerk of Court or County Clerk, this particular office performs more varied functions than any other in the Commonwealth.

    In Arlington County, the 17th Judicial District includes the City of Falls Church, Virginia.

    "The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Virginia; this means that the court has authority to try a full range of cases both civil and criminal. Civil cases involve disputes essentially private in nature between two or more parties; criminal cases are controversies between the State and persons accused of a crime. Only in a circuit court is a jury provided for the trial of these disputes and controversies. The Virginia circuit court system is composed of 31 judicial circuits with 120 separate circuit courts in the various counties and cities of the State. The Supreme Court of Virginia establishes the rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts, and the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court as the administrator of the circuit court system."

    The Arlington County Circuit Court hears the following types of cases:
    • Adoptions
    • Appeals from General District Court
    • Civil cases:
      • Exclusive jurisdiction for almost all claims exceeding $25,000
      • Concurrent jurisdiction with General District Court for claims from $4,500 to $25,000

        DEADLINE FOR FILING CIVIL MOTIONS: In order to have a civil motion heard on a Friday docket in Circuit Court, the motion must be filed in the Clerk’s Office no later than 12 noon the preceding Friday. Civil motions filed after 12 noon on any Friday will not be placed on the next week’s Friday motions’ docket, but instead will be set for the first available motions day thereafter.
    • Equity suits
    • Felonies and misdemeanors originating from grand jury indictments
    • Juvenile cases involving juveniles 14 or older that have been certified to the Circuit Court by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations General District Court
    • Writs of mandamus, probation, and certiorari involving proceedings arising from actions of local governing body.

    Drug Court Program

    • Read the Mission Statement and the Arlington County Drug Court Program Participant Handbook.
    • The Program is an alternative to incarceration for probation violators in the Circuit Court with substance abuse issues.
    • Probationers must be approved by the Probation Department, Commonwealth Attorney's Office, and the Public Defender's Office before being referred to the Program.
    • Drug Court is held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. every Thursday (except holidays) in Courtroom 11B, 11th Floor, 1425 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington, Virginia 22201.
    • Contact Drug Court Program: 703-228-7160

    Jury Duty

    Court Room Technology

    • View technology available in Court Rooms of the Arlington Circuit Court
    • Court Rooms 10A, 10B, 10C, or 10D are located on the 10th Floor of 1425 North Courthouse Road
    • Contact the Court's Technology Coordinator

    Use this Website For Information Only

    The information on the websites for the Court and for the Circuit Court is for general information purposes only. Court business is not conducted online. Specific case information, scheduling and services may be obtained ONLY by calling or going to the appropriate office. Get contact information >>>

    Topics

    Recording/Registering/Applying

    Judicial Process

    About the Arlington Circuit Court, Civil Division, Criminal Felony Cases, Jury Service, Misdemeanor Appeals

    Records & Research

    You can research deeds, financing statements, judgments, wills and other records maintained by the Circuit Court by registering and paying a fee to access the County Application Framework(CAF). Apply For Optional CAF Account, or Search CAF. Find out more >>>

    SECURITY ISSUE - CELL PHONES NOT PERMITTED IN COURTHOUSE

    Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the courthouse. Storage lockers are available in the Detention Facility lobby, across the courtyard, at 1435 N. Courthouse Road, for a small fee. You will need change. Laptop computers, eReaders, and iPods are permitted; iPads are not permitted.


    Last Modified: May 20, 2013
    2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611