Office of the Magistrate

Magistrates are independent judicial officers who work directly for the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Office of the Executive Secretary

• Provide an unbiased review of criminal conduct complaints by law enforcement or the general public
• Issue and processes arrest warrants, summonses, bonds, search warrants and medical detention orders
• Conduct bail hearings for individuals arrested on a criminal offense warrant
• Provide services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

View more information on Virginia’s Magistrate System website.

Warrants

To obtain a warrant against someone, you must provide the Office of the Magistrate with the person’s:

• Full name
• Address
• Birth date
• Complete physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Social Security Number (desirable but not mandatory)

If you do not have this information, contact the Arlington County Police Department to request its assistance before visiting the Office of the Magistrate. No business for a warrant will be conducted over the phone.

Traffic Tickets (aka Traffic Summons)

• How to pay traffic tickets online.
• For more information on fees and fines eligible for prepayment, call 703-228-4599 and listen to the recording.
• If you received a summons from an officer or trooper, follow the directions on the summons or call 703-228-7900.

You can pay in person or mail a check (payable to Clerk of the Court) to:

General District Court
1425 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 2400
Arlington, VA 22201

Restraining Orders

If you are in danger due to domestic violence or need immediate assistance, call 911. Magistrates do not issue peace bonds or restraining orders, but may issue Emergency Protective Orders for stalking or domestic violence. To obtain a restraining order, call the General District Court, 703-228-7900. For a protective (domestic) order, call the Juvenile & domestic Relations Court at 703-228-4500. More information on domestic violence and protective orders for families/children is at Project PEACE.
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