Powhatan County
Established in 1777, Powhatan County was named after the Powhatan people, an indigenous tribe that inhabited the area. The county has a land area of 260.2 square miles and a population of over 30,000 residents. Its county seat is Powhatan.
The Powhatan County trial court system consists of a Circuit Court, a General District Court, and a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over monetary claims involving more than $25,000, divorce cases, adoption proceedings, probate cases, divorce matters, and property disputes. The court's criminal jurisdiction covers felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile felony trials. Additionally, the Circuit Court handles appeals of decisions of the lower courts and administrative agencies.
The General District Court handles misdemeanors, ordinance violations, traffic infractions, general civil claims involving $25,000 or less, personal injury and wrongful death claims not exceeding $50,000 in value, small claims, and felony preliminary hearings. Meanwhile, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court specializes in matters about family-type relationships and children below the age of 18. Cases typically handled by this court include custody, support, visitation, delinquency, and domestic violence cases. The General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts are combined in Powhatan County.
Powhatan County public court records are official documents and other material containing information about cases handled by the courts within the county. Examples of information found in these documents include parties' names, attorney details, case numbers, docket information, court orders, and hearing dates. The Circuit and District Court Clerks are responsible for the filing and maintenance of court records in the county. The clerks also facilitate public access to several types of case files, including the following:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Family law records
- Small claims records
Powhatan County public court records may be accessed online through government-provided platforms such as the General District Court Online Case Information System and the Circuit Court Case Information Portal. To obtain official copies of case records, interested individuals may contact the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was heard. Requesters are typically required to provide specific details about the record and pay applicable fees.
