Culpeper County
Culpeper County was founded in 1749 and named in honor of Thomas Colepeper, a colonial Governor of Virginia. The county covers about 379 square miles of land in central Virginia, with a population of 52,822 residents. Its largest community and county seat is the Town of Culpeper.
Culpeper County's trial courts, which are part of Virginia's 16th Judicial Circuit, comprise the Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. The Circuit Court typically rules on all felony-related cases and civil claims for more than $25,000. Examples of civil lawsuits resolved at the Culpeper County Circuit Court are property disputes, professional malpractices, torts, and contract breaches. The county's apex court also has appellate authority to review decisions from lower trial courts.
The General District Court in Culpeper County often hears minor criminal cases, including misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and felony preliminary hearings. District Court judges can also preside over landlord-tenant disputes and civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less. Legal matters involving domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, child dependency, and child custody/support are resolved at the Culpeper County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.
Culpeper County court records are documents or recordings created and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. They contain case information such as evidence, photos, audio/video recordings, orders, dockets, pleadings, transcripts, motions, and judgments. Public court records in Culpeper County are useful for research, and legal precedents. They are publicly accessible to ensure trust and transparency in the county's court processes. The Virginia Public Records Act prohibits access to confidential court records such as juvenile and adoption records. However, the state law allows public access to the following court records :
- Civil records
- Property records
- Probate records
- Traffic records
- Criminal court records
- Family law records
To obtain court documents in Culpeper County, requesters can visit the Clerk's Office at:
Culpeper Circuit Court Clerk
135 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3438
Court records often cost $0.50 per page and $2 per certified copy. An alternative way to access Culpeper court records is via the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System. Online users can search court records filed in the Circuit and General District Court without charges.
