Courts & Judiciary

Courts - General Information & Contacts

Hours & Locations

Chesapeake Circuit Court

307 Albemarle Drive - 3rd Floor
(757) 382-3000
Monday through Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm

Chesapeake General District Court

307 Albemarle Drive - 1st Floor
(757) 382-3100
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Chesapeake Juvenile & Domestic
Relations District Court

301 Albemarle Drive, 2nd Floor
(757) 382- 8100
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Circuit Court

Most Requested

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

Other Services

• Divorce Manual - Uncontested pdf
  
• Divorce Manual - Contested pdf
  
• 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 - 6-page pdfdocument

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
• How to Start Your Suit
  
• Types of Cases in General District Court
  
• Tell me about General District Court

Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

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

Commonwealth's Attorney

Services

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

Magistrate

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
  
• Responsibilities of 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

524 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: (757) 382-0098
FAX:     (757) 382-0096

Current Public Defender: Kathy Ortiz  

Virginia Judicial System Resources

Contacts - Quick Reference List