Spotsylvania County
Spotsylvania County occupies 402 square miles of land in Northern Virginia. The county was created in 1721 and named in honor of Alexander Spotswood, a former British Army Officer. It has a population of about 141,000 residents, while its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse.
The Spotsylvania County court system comprises the Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. Operating within Virginia's 15th Judicial Circuit, the Circuit Court in Spotsylvania handles all felony-related cases and civil claims exceeding $25,000. The apex court also hears property disputes, tort claims, and professional malpractices. It has appellate authority to modify decisions from other county courts.
The county's General District Court typically handles minor criminal cases, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, and felony preliminary hearings. District Court judges also handle landlord-tenant disputes and civil claims for $25,000 or less. Legal proceedings involving child dependency, domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child custody/support are resolved at the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court in Spotsylvania County.
Designated court clerks in Spotsylvania County are required by the Virginia Public Records Act to maintain and disseminate court records to the public. Court records typically contain case information like evidence, photos, dockets, transcripts, audio/video recordings, motions, pleadings, and judgments. According to state laws, public access to Spotsylvania County public court records promotes transparency and trust in the judiciary. These records are also helpful for journalistic and research purposes. Anyone can request the following public court records from the Spotsylvania County Clerk of the Circuit Court:
- Criminal court records
- Civil court records
- Traffic records
- Property records
- Family law records
- Probate records
However, public requests for mental health, adoption, juvenile, sealed, and other confidential court records are prohibited under state law. To obtain public court documents, individuals can visit or contact the Clerk's Office at:
Spotsylvania Circuit Court Clerk
9107 Judicial Center Lane
P.O. Box 96
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7600
Email: cjett@spotsylvania.va.us
Spotsylvania County court records cost $0.50 per page and $2 per certified document. Interested persons can view court records without charges via the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System. The state's database provides different portals for court records filed in the Circuit and General District Court.
