Shenandoah County
Shenandoah County was founded in 1772 and named after the Shenandoah River. The administrative center is in Woodstock. The county covers about 508.1 square miles of land, making it the 21st largest county in Virginia by total area. According to the United States Census in 2020, an estimated population of 44,186 people lives in Shenandoah County.
The judicial system in Shenandoah County comprises the Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The Shenandoah County Circuit Court is part of the 26th Judicial District of Virginia and adjudicates almost all types of controversies. These include civil cases where monetary claims exceed $25,000, felony cases, probate of wills, and family matters. It also shares jurisdiction with the General District Court for cases involving claims between $4,500 and $25,000. The Shenandoah County General District Court has jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases, including misdemeanors, traffic infractions, ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles domestic relations cases and juvenile issues involving matters such as child support, delinquency, and paternity.
In Shenandoah County, court records are official documents created or generated during court proceedings. These records comprise judgments, dockets, warrants, orders, and filings. According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Shenandoah County court records are considered open records, and residents have the right to view, inspect, and copy them. However, certain court records, including mental health records, sealed records, and juvenile records, are restricted from public access. Shenandoah County court records that may be accessed by the public include the following:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Traffic Records
- Probate Records
Shenandoah County court records may be searched online by name, hearing date, or case number through the Virginia Judicial System or in person by visiting the county's courthouses at:
Shenandoah County Circuit Court
112 South Main Street
Woodstock, VA 22664
Shenandoah County General District Court
215 Mill Rd, Suite 228
Woodstock, VA 22664
