City of Harrisonburg County
Harrisonburg is an independent city in Virginia. It is located in the Shenandoah Valley, spanning approximately 17.4 square miles. The county is home to James Madison and Eastern Mennonite Universities, making it a vibrant hub for education and culture. Harrisonburg has an estimated population of around 51,784 residents. It has a court structure typical of Virginia's independent cities, which comprises the Circuit, General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.
The Circuit Court is a general jurisdiction court with exclusive authority over felony trials and misdemeanors charged by a grand jury indictment. The apex court also handles civil cases such as tort claims, contract disputes, and other civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000. Unsatisfied parties can file appeals at the Circuit Court to challenge District Court judgments. The General District Court presides over minor criminal cases such as misdemeanors, felony preliminary hearings, and traffic infractions. It also resolves civil cases such as landlord-tenant disputes and civil lawsuits where the disputed amount is between $4,500 and $25,000. The District Court has a Small Claims division that handles monetary disputes not exceeding $4,500. On the other hand, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles cases involving juvenile delinquency, custody, child support, and family violence.
Harrisonburg public court records contain case filings, dockets, transcripts, dispositions, and court rulings generated during the county's legal proceedings. These records are typically accessible to the public as required under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). They promote accountability and transparency in the city's justice system. However, sensitive records, such as adoption and juvenile cases, are restricted to authorized individuals. The Circuit Court Clerk manages records and processes requests. To obtain court documents, individuals can visit or contact the Clerk's Office at:
53 Court Square,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Copy fees are $0.50 per page and $2 per certified document. Interested persons can also subscribe to the Officer of the Court Remote Access (OCRA) to access Harrisonburg County court records online. Alternatively, they can view court records free of charge on the state's Online Case Information System. This portal allows the public to search records by case number, party name, or hearing date.
