Local Court Orders

January 8, 2024
Virginia Bray, Court Administrator & Staff Attorney for the Circuit Court for the city of Richmond, has provided an update to their “Policy for Accommodations.” The new policy can be viewed here

March 20, 2023
Teresa Ryan, Administrator of Judicial Operations for the Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers, has provided the attached updated public docketing procedures for the Chesterfield Circuit Court. There is one substantive change: All criminal bond motions will now be filed and SCHEDULED with the Clerk’s office for Circuit Court. (Pg 4).

January 13, 2023
Laura G. Griffin, Chief Deputy Clerk of Operations for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, has issued the following update: As a result of the CDC lowering the City of Richmond to the “medium” category, masks are optional in Richmond District Court beginning on January 17th.

January 6, 2023
Laura G. Griffin, Chief Deputy Clerk of Operations for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, has issued the following update:
Effective Monday, January 9, 2023, masking is required at the Robinson-Merhige Federal Courthouse in Richmond, VA. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a well-fitting respirator (N-95, KN-95, etc.) or a surgical/procedure mask that covers their nose and mouth continuously in all indoor public areas unless it is medically unsafe for them to do so and they obtain permission from the Chief Judge or Senior Active Judge. Complete information can be found at:
//www.vaed.uscourts.gov/news/eff-january-9-2023-change-masking-requirement-robinson-merhige-federal-courthouse-richmond-va

October 27, 2022
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, has announced amendments to Local Civil Rule 7.1, a new Local Criminal Rule 32, and amendments to Local Civil Rule 83.1 and Local Criminal Rule 57.4. The announcement, effective dates, and all of the details pertaining to these changes may be viewed on the public website, which includes instructions for anyone wishing to provide comments.

October 3, 2022
Tricia D. Muller, Administrator of Judicial Operations for the Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers, has issued the following update: Due to the annual mandatory Judicial Conference of Virginia, the Chesterfield Circuit Court’s May 2023 Term Day / Grand Jury has been rescheduled to Friday, May 19, 2023 (instead of Monday, May 15, 2023). Court staff are in the process of making updates to documentation, scheduling applications, and other references.

July 6, 2022
Since January 2021, the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk, Heidi Barshinger, has supported and encouraged the use of Virginia Judiciary E-filing System (VJFES) which allows electronic filing of most civil cases in circuit court. VJEFS may be used to track case submissions, receive status and other notifications by email, request service of process, and calculate and pay fees online. This link Online Services (vacourts.gov) can be used to access the system. Thanks to the many users who have already enrolled.

June 28, 2022
Tricia D. Muller, Administrator of Judicial Operations for the Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers has issued the following update regarding the court’s power outage:

Message to attorneys – Update as of 11:20 AM Tuesday – unfortunately, required parts to repair the issue in the main courthouse are delayed. We will have to remain closed one additional day – Wednesday, June 29. All signs do point to us reopening on Thursday, June 30. Messaging to the public is in progress.

Please note, court and sheriff staff and others are meeting this afternoon to cull together a game plan for both Courts to conduct video pre-trials for held defendants on Wednesday in an alternate location.

We will send out more information as needed when available.

Thank you, Trish Muller

June 27, 2022
Both Chesterfield Circuit and General District Courts will again be closed on Tuesday, June 28th due to the inability to obtain parts to repair the electrical problem in the courthouse. It is anticipated that the power outage will be repaired by Wednesday, but we’ll keep you apprised if that changes.

June 27, 2022
Chesterfield Circuit and General District and Courts are closed today due to a power outage in the main Courthouse. The Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court is not affected so its dockets are not impacted.

May 31, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its fortieth Judicial Emergency Order which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency effective June 2, 2022 through June 22, 2022, unless amended by future order. This order allows local courts to determine what, if any, health and pandemic related restrictions such as masks and social distancing, are required in their courts, and continues tolling of the statutory speedy trial act deadlines through June 22, 2022. The Court’s full order may be found here.

May 18, 2022
Tricia D. Muller, Administrator of Judicial Operations of the Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers has asked that members be made aware of updates to court docketing procedures. The Court’s full order may be found here.

May 2, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-ninth Judicial Emergency Order entered on April 15, 2022, which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency effective May 12, 2022 through June 1, 2022, unless amended by future order. The Court’s full order may be found here.

March 29, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-seventh Judicial Emergency Order, which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency, effective March 31, 2022 through April 20, 2022, unless amended by future order. The Court’s full order may be found here.

March 28, 2022
Frank D. Hargrove, Jr., Clerk of the Hanover Circuit Court, would like for members to be aware of a change to the records system. The Court’s Notice can be viewed here.

March 14, 2022
Wendy Hughes, Clerk of the Chesterfield Circuit Court, would like for members to be aware of the ORDER terminating of COVID modifications and Public Notice.

March 4, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-sixth Judicial Emergency Order, effective March 10, 2022, which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency entered on February 10, 2022. The Court’s full order may be found here.

March 4, 2022
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued an updated mask policy. The Court’s full order may be found here. In addition, the Court has updated its general order (here).

February 28, 2022
Tammy Damon, Court Administrator, for the Henrico County Circuit Court has asked that members be made aware of the COVID-Mask Mandate Life Order, found here

February 10, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-fifth Judicial Emergency Order, effective February 17, 2022, which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency entered on January 20, 2022. The Court’s full order may be found here.

January 26, 2022
Virginia Courts have been advised the Indigency Guidelines for court-appointed counsel has been updated with the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines. See the Eligibility for Court-Appointed Counsel for the most recent information. You will also find a link to this document in Appendix B of the Court-Appointed Counsel Procedures and Guidelines Manual

January 20, 2022
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-fourth Judicial Emergency Order, effective January 27, 2022, which continues the Declaration of Judicial Emergency entered on December 29, 2021. The Court’s full order may be found here.

January 14, 2022
Tricia D. Muller, Administrator of Judicial Operations of the Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers has asked that members be made aware of updates to court docketing procedures (HERE).

December 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021, The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued an updated mask policy. The Court’s full order may be found here.

December 29, 2021
On December 29, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-third Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order through January 6, 2022 The Court’s full order may be found here.

December 10, 2021
On October 5, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it thirty-second Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order through January 5, 2022 The Court’s full order may be found here.

November 5, 2021
Edward F. Jewett, Clerk of Court for the City of Richmond Circuit Court has asked that members be made aware of the following notice:

The City of Richmond Circuit Court will be resuming monthly Criminal Docket Call, in person, starting with the next term day, Monday, December 6, 2021. Attorneys are still encouraged to pre-set court dates prior to docket call. ANY CASES NOT PRE-SET, NOR SET AT DOCKET CALL, WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SET BY THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANTS. IT WILL BE UP TO THE ATTORNEYS TO DETERMINE WHAT THESE DATES ARE.

October 5, 2021
On October 5, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued it twenty-ninth Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order through November 3, 2021 and ordering additional protocols effective from October 14, 2021, through November 3, 2021. The Court’s full order may be found here.

September 29, 2021
Chesterfield County – Update Related to Appointment of Counsel for Indigent Defendants
Please see the attached memo from the Hon. Matthew D. Nelson, Chief Judge of the Chesterfield/Colonial Heights General District Court, regarding the transition from Court Appointed Panel System to the Chesterfield Public Defender’s Office.

September 20, 2021
On September 20, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its twenty-eighth Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order effective through October 13, 2021, unless amended by future order. The Court’s full order may be found here.

August 25, 2021
On August 25, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its twenty-seventh Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order effective through September 22, 2021, unless amended by future order. The Court’s full order may be found here.

August 19, 2021
Wendy S. Hughes, Clerk of the Chesterfield Circuit Court, has requested that attorneys verify the court’s fax number before sending anything (especially if it is pre-programmed in a machine). If attorneys are using the wrong number, the Court is not receiving their filing(s). Please check that the Court’s fax number is listed/programmed correctly: 804-796-5625.

On another note, the Court does not need multiple copies of the same filing. Some offices are faxing, emailing and sending hardcopies. This multi-filing is causing significant increases in processing time and unnecessary duplication of efforts.

August 18, 2021
The Judges of the 12th Judicial Circuit announce that a substitute judge vacancy will exist in the 12th Judicial District effective October 1, 2021. Substitute judges are appointed by the Court pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-69.9:1. Any member of the bar, both qualified and residing in the circuit, who desires consideration for appointment as substitute judge should provide application materials addressed to the Chief Circuit Judge and mailed or delivered to Tricia D. Muller, Administrator of Judicial Operations, Chesterfield Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers, PO Box 57, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0905 not later than noon on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. The application can be found here.

August 4, 2021
On August 4, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its twenty-sixth Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order effective through September 1, 2021, unless amended by future order. The Court’s full order may be found here.

August 3, 2021
Tammy J. Damon, Court Administrator for the Henrico County Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers, has advised that in conformity with County of Henrico’s current policy and effective immediately, all county departments will begin asking employees to provide proof that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who do not provide proof of vaccination or who remain unvaccinated will be required to wear a face covering at all times in county buildings and facilities. This requirement also will apply to visitors.

July 2, 2021
The Supreme Court of Virginia Requests Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to part Six, Section III. Cannons of Judicial Conduct
The Supreme Court of Virginia is considering proposed amendments to the Rules of Court, Part Six, Section III, Canons of Judicial Conduct. Comments on the proposed amended Canons must be received by September 29, 2021. Click here to view the revised Cannons and instructions for commenting.

June 29, 2021
On June 29, 2021, the Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its sixth Order Concerning Court Operations. The Court’s full order may be found here.

June 29, 2021
On June 29, 2021, The Supreme Court of Virginia issues it twenty-fourth Judicial Emergency Order, extending its prior order through July 21, 2021. The Court’s full order may be found here.

June 22, 2021
Order of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit (Circuit Courts of Chesterfield and Colonial Heights)
Effective July 1, 2021, The Judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court have provided an Order re: the conduct of trials pursuant to the 23rd Order of the Supreme Court of Virginia extending the declaration of judicial emergency. The Order, which can be found here

June 11, 2021
NOTICE – Updated Access & Operating Procedures for Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Courthouse in Response to COVID-19
NOTICE-Updated Access and Operating Procedures in Response to COVID-19 and COVID-19 Building Requirements

June 10, 2021
Chesterfield County FY21 Annual Report for Courts/Judicial Branch. This short article outlines court system activities over the last year. The article can be found here.

May 19, 2021
Mask Restrictions for Oliver Hill Courts Building
On May 19, 2021, The Honorable Marilynn C. Goss, Chief Judge of the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court of the City of Richmond, has issued an Order for requirements for entry into the Oliver Hill Courts Building. The Court’s full order may be found here

May 18, 2021
Mask Restrictions for Chesterfield Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courthouse
On May 18, 2021, Laura G. Griffin, Clerk of the Chesterfield Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, requests that members be aware of the attached Order re: requirements for entry into the Courts Building. The Court’s full order may be found here

May 18, 2021
Mask Restrictions for John Marshall Courthouse
On May 18, 2021, The Honorable W. Reilly Marchant, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, has issued an Order for requirements for entry into the John Marshall Courts Building. The Court’s full order may be found here

May 13, 2021
Chesterfield Standing Court Order re: security, safety, order and decorum
On May 13, 2021, the Hon. Edward A. Robbins, Jr., Chief Judge of the Chesterfield Circuit Court, issued a Standing Court Order re: security, safety, order and decorum – Main & 1917 Courthouses (Chesterfield Circuit & General District Courts) that supersedes the version dated 2/26/2018. The Court’s full order may be found here

April 1, 2021
New Policy re: Portable Electronic Devices (Chesterfield J&DR District Court)
Effective April 1, 2021, the Chesterfield Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court will allow portable electronic devices in the Courthouse. This announcement pertains only to the Chesterfield J&DR District Court Courthouse
Chesterfield J&DR 4.1.21 pdf
The Court’s announcement can be found here