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Can I pay my ticket and avoid a Court appearance?
You may
plead guilty to many traffic violations (DUIs and
Reckless Driving excluded) by submitting an
appropriate fee to the Clerk of the Court prior to the Court
date and only if the offense is one listed on the
Uniform Fine Schedule - Rule 3:B2 and 3:C2 of the Rules of Court. This
may be done online using your Visa or MasterCard at
www.courts.state.va.us - General District Court Case
Information, by mail to P.
O. Box 316, Yorktown, VA 23690, in person at the Courthouse or our payment drop box located at the side of the
Courthouse facing the parking lot entered by Alexander
Hamilton Blvd.
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What are the hours of the Courthouse?
The Court Clerk's office is open from 8:30am to
4:30pm, however Court may be in session as
early as 8:00am.
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What items are
prohibited in the Courthouse?
The following
items are prohibited in the Courthouse by order of the York
County-Poquoson Sheriff:
No guns, knives
of any sort to include razors, box cutters, scissors,
sewing/knitting needles, fingernail files or any tool or object
deemed by the deputy's to be a possible weapon, no mace or other
chemical spray. Cameras, recording devices or radios are
not allowed in the courtroom unless approved by the Judge.
Laptop computers or related equipment are allowed but are not to
be used in the courtroom unless approved by the Judge.
Pagers are allowed but must be off if you go into the courtroom.
Cell phones are allowed but must be off if you go into the
courtroom or the General District Court Clerk's office.
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Do I have the right to appeal the Judge's decision?
Yes, you have up to 10 days to file a notice of
appeal with the Clerk's office. This must be in
writing and will grant you a new trial in the
Circuit Court.
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Where can I find out about points
and my driving record?
Visit the Department of Motor Vehicle's website at
http://www.dmv.state.va.us
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How can I get a criminal warrant
against someone?
You must visit the local Magistrate at the
Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, 9320 Merrimac Trail,
Williamsburg VA, 23185. The Magistrate's phone
number is 757-820-3905.
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How do I reschedule my Court appearance date?
You may request a continuance by telephone, by
mail or in person. Requests should be received
prior to the assigned trial date.
Traffic - The Clerk's office may grant one
continuance to the police officer's next scheduled Court date for good cause. Your appearance will be
required if a continuance is granted and no further continuances may be granted by the
Clerk's
office.
Criminal - The Clerk's office may grant
one continuance for good cause after the
Commonwealth's Attorneys office has been informed
of the request and has no objection to the
granting of a continuance. If an objection is
raised, then the parties must appear in Court for
a hearing before the Judge. All witnesses are to
be notified either by telephone or mail prior to
the original trial date.
Civil - The Clerk's office may grant one
continuance if both parties agree. The Clerk's
office must hear from the plaintiff that a continuance has been agreed upon as well as the
rescheduled date.
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How do I sue someone in Small Claims Court/Civil
Court?
The civil jurisdiction for claims in the General
District Court is $15,000.00. You may obtain a
civil warrant from the General District Court Clerk's office during our business hours which
are 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday, except
State holidays or online at
www.courts.state.va.us
Filing fee of a civil warrant is $31.00 for claims of $201.00
through $15,000.00. Claims of $200.00 or less, the filing
fee is $31.00. An additional fee of $12.00 per defendant
is required for service by the Sheriff. No
additional fee is required for service by a private process
server.
Civil Court is held every Tuesday at 1:00pm in
the York County General District Court, Courtroom
3 at 300 Ballard Street, Yorktown Virginia. The Court date will be assigned at the time the
warrant is filed with the Clerk's Office.
If the defendant contests the claim, everyone
must appear on the first return date for the Judge to schedule a trial. Continuances are not
granted unless agreed upon by all parties. Please
call 757-890-3452 with any questions.
The Small Claims division has jurisdiction over
claims in which the plaintiff is seeking a money
judgment up to $5,000.00 or recovery of personal
property valued up to that amount. Small Claims
cases are heard on the third Mondays each month
at 1:30pm. The cost for a Warrant In Debt - Small
Claims Division is the same as for all other
civil warrants. All parties should appear in Court prepared for trial. Contested claims are
heard on the first return date and are not
rescheduled.
As a general reminder... The Clerk's Office can
give basic instructions on how to fill out forms, but
CANNOT give legal advice about your case. If you
need a lawyer please contact the Virginia State
Bar's Lawyer Referral Service at 800-552-7977.
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Is there a dress code for Court appearances?
Proper attire and behavior are required of everyone who enters a
courtroom. Clothing must be clean and properly worn.
The following list of prohibited attire and behavior will be
enforced.
No shorts, tank tops, halter tops. No skirts that do
not extend at least to the middle of the thigh while sitting.
No exposed midriffs or stomachs. No exposed underwear.
No slacks, trousers or jeans that can only be supported by the
wearer's hands. No bare feet or "flip flops". No
offensive, violent, obscene or suggestive slogans or caricatures
shall be displayed on clothing. No chewing gum or bubble
gum. All cell phones and pagers must be in the "off"
position. If not, they are subject to confiscation.
Anyone who is chewing gum or is
not properly dressed upon entering a courtroom may be sent away
until properly attired, or may be found in contempt of court and
subjected to a fine, or incarceration, or both. The
maximum punishment could be incarceration for up to ten days
and/or a fine of up to $250.00.
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How are records checks conducted?
Records check requests are not handled over the
telephone. Any request for disposition
information, name searches, case numbers, etc.
must be made in writing. Written requests can be
faxed to 757-890-3459 or mailed to the York
County General District Court, P.O. Box 316,
Yorktown, VA 23690. A copy fee of $1.00 for the
first two pages and $0.50 for each additional page
will be charged for copies of documents filed
with this Court. The minimum fee of $1.00 should
accompany all requests for copies.
The database for this Court is also available
online. Please visit the Supreme Court of
Virginia's web site at
www.courts.state.va.us
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