Rappahannock Circuit Court cases in Rappahannock County, Washington, VA
Rappahannock County Circuit Court, part of Virginia's 20th Judicial Circuit, is the circuit (trial) court of general jurisdiction for Rappahannock County in Washington, VA. It conducts jury and bench trials and hears: civil cases beyond the district courts' monetary limits, equity matters, real property and probate disputes; criminal cases including all felonies and misdemeanors tried on indictment or appealed from district court; family matters such as divorce, equitable distribution, and appeals of custody, visitation, and support from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and traffic cases primarily on appeal or when associated with felony charges. The court also hears de novo appeals from the General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
Rappahannock Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Rappahannock |
| Street Address: | 238 Gay Street |
| City: | Washington |
| Zip Code: | 22747 |
| Phone: | 540-675-5350 |
| Fax: | 540-675-5351 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website URL: | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/rappahannock/home.html |
| Forms & Filing: | Forms |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rappahannock_County_(1656),_Virginia |
Services and Case Types Handled in Rappahannock Circuit Court
- Case filings and docketing: criminal (felonies; misdemeanor/traffic appeals), civil (torts, contracts, real property), domestic relations (divorce, equitable distribution, name changes), chancery/equity, and de novo appeals from district courts.
- Protective orders: hears appeals of family-abuse and other protective orders from district courts and addresses violations as authorized by law.
- Court hearings: schedules and conducts motions, pretrial conferences, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and grand jury proceedings.
- Jury services: manages juror qualification, summons, orientation, and service for trials.
- Records and clerk services: maintains the official court record and judgments; records land instruments (deeds, liens); probates wills and qualifies personal representatives; provides certified copies.
Functional role: The Circuit Court ensures fair adjudication of major civil and criminal matters, maintains critical public records, supports juries, and offers accessible processes for filings, hearings, and appeals for Rappahannock County residents.