The Circuit Court is the only trial court of general jurisdiction in Virginia, having the broadest judicial powers in the state. In Arlington, the 17th Judicial District includes the City of Falls Church.
About the Circuit Court
Judges
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Court Calendar & Filing Requirements
2016 Court Calendar
Payment of Court Costs, Fines and Restitution
Local Rules and Preferred Practices
Grand Jury
Drug Court Program
Courtroom Technology
Circuit Court Judges
Circuit Court judges are elected by a majority vote of each House of the General Assembly, and serve for eight-year terms. Interim appointments are made by the Governor, subject to election by the General Assembly at the next regular session. The chief judge is elected for a two-year term by the judges serving in the circuit. The 17th Judicial Circuit bench is comprised of three judicial appointments.
- The Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., Chief Judge
- The Honorable Daniel S. Fiore, II
- The Honorable Louise M. DiMatteo
- Judicial Chambers
Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is an elected constitutional office in each county and large city in Virginia and performs more varied functions than any other office in the Commonwealth.
Arlington County’s current Clerk of the Circuit Court is Paul Ferguson.
Grand Jury
A grand jury is convened at the beginning of each term of the Circuit Court, a grand jury is convened. These juries serve two purposes:
- consider bills of indictment
- determine whether there is sufficient probable cause to believe that a person accused of having committed a serious crime:
- did commit such crime,
- and should stand trial.
The grand jury does not hear both sides of the case and does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
A special grand jury is convened to investigate any condition which tends to promote criminal activity in the community or which indicates malfeasance of governmental agencies or officials. This grand jury has subpoena powers and may summon persons, documents, or records needed in its investigation.
Court Calendar and Filing Requirements
- Modifications to the Circuit Court’s Calendar and Filing Requirements: See full details in the Memo from the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court
- 2016 Court Calendar
Local Rules and Preferred Practices
- Local Rules and Preferred Practices, pursuant to Virginia Code Section §8.01-4, effective August 1, 2016.
The Circuit Court implemented Local Rules and Preferred Practices on July 1, 2014. To the extent anything on this public website is inconsistent with those rules, the local rules and preferred practices will apply. Please note that the hours of operation of the Circuit Court Clerk’s office remain unchanged. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays or as otherwise ordered by the Court.
Payment of Court Costs, Fines and Restitution
An individual has 45 days from the date of sentencing (or release from incarceration on this jurisdiction’s charge) to either pay in full their fines, court costs, or restitution (if any) or set up a payment plan. Failure to do so will result in an account being in default. Read more.
A person who owes fines and costs on which interest has accrued during a period of incarceration may move the court in which he owes fines and costs to waive the interest that accrued on such fines and costs during such period of incarceration (only applies to what is owed on or after 7/1/16 and does not apply to restitution interest or collection fees). The person must complete the following:
- Request for Waiver of Interest of Fines & Costs (Form DC-366A)
- Certification of Incarceration Period (Form DC-366)
Guidelines for Payment of Court Costs, Fines and Restitution in Criminal Cases.
Petition asking the Circuit Court to allow payments of fine, costs, and restitution (if any) in deferred or installment payments.
Drug Court Program
The Circuit Court offers probation violators with substance abuse issues participation in the Arlington County Drug Treatment Court (ACDTC) as an alternative to incarceration.
The Probation Department, Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office must approve probationers before they can participate in the program.
Drug Court runs every Thursday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (except holidays) in Courtroom 10B. For more information about the Drug Court Program, call 703-228-7160 or review:
Courtroom Technology
The Audio Visual Handbook describes the technology used in Courtrooms 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D located on the courthouse’s 10th floor.
For more information on courtroom technology, contact the Court’s Technology Coordinator