Highland County Circuit Court, Virginia
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Filing Requirements1 rule
The Commonwealth Attorney shall provide to the Court during trial the amount of restitution owed and the name(s) of the victims), which form shall be signed by the defendant prior to imposition of sentence.
Filing & Service rules
Service and Proof of Service Rules
After trial and sentencing, the Clerk will notify the defendant of amounts owed by mail or in person, using the defendant’s last known address for mailed notice.
Upon trial and sentencing, the Clerk will advise the defendant, either by mail or in person, a notice of all fines, costs, restitution, and assessments. This notice will be sent to the defendant's last known address.
Criminal cases
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The court sends final orders to counsel and involved agencies by email when an email address was provided; otherwise, it mails the orders.
The Highland Circuit Court forwards final orders to Counsel and other involved agencies by email if email provided to Court. Otherwise, orders are mailed by regular mail.
Page 1 | Terms of Court and General Information
Filing Fees and Waivers
Past-due accounts are sent to collections after 90 days from conviction and assessed a one-time 17% delinquent-payment fee; the Department of Taxation may pursue available collection proceedings.
After 90 days from the conviction date, all past due accounts will be sent to collections and a one time delinquent payment fee of 17% will be assessed against the account. The Department of Taxation may institute collection proceedings through garnishments, tax set-offs, and other means available.
Criminal cases
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The first installment is due on the date specified in the payment plan.
The first payment is due on the date designated on the Plan.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | DEFERRED/INSTALLMENT PAYMENT POLICY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 ORDER
Defendants must enter an installment plan with monthly payments of at least $25, or more based on ability to pay; a Judge determines whether an indigent defendant may pay less.
The defendant shall enter into an installment plan. Effective July 1, 2025, and pursuant to VA Code Section 19.2-354.1(D), the minimum monthly rate shall be at least $25.00 or a higher amount, depending upon a defendant's ability to pay. The Judge shall make the determination if the defendant is indigent and wishes to make payments less than $25.00.
Criminal cases
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Payments may be made by check, money order, or cash in person, or mailed to the stated Court address; the office is open on nonholiday weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekend or holiday due dates move to the next business day, and receipt requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The Court accepts payments by check, money order, or cash in person. Payments can be mailed to: Highland County Circuit Court, PO Box 190, Monterey, VA 24465. Office hours are 8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday - Friday, with the exception of holidays. Due dates that fall on weekends or holidays will be due the next business day. When requesting a receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Criminal cases
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A defendant whose sole resource is Social Security or Supplemental Security Income need not pay until another income resource exists and will not be sent to collections while that remains unchanged, but court-ordered restitution remains due.
If your sole resource is a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income, then you are not required to pay until you have another resource of income. As long as your sole income remains unchanged, your account will not go to collections. Please understand that any restitution ordered by the Court is not included in this exception of payment and is due as the Court has ordered.
Criminal cases
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When restitution applies, payments are applied to restitution before other amounts owed.
All payments received will be applied to restitution first, if applicable to case.
Criminal cases
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The Court may approve community service at $12.77 per hour instead of cash payments for fines and costs, but not restitution, which must be paid in cash.
Completion of community service in lieu of cash payments for all fines and costs may be approved by the Court at the rate of $12.77 per hour. Community service will be monitored by your probation officer and/or the Court Community Corrections Program. Community service does not apply to restitution. Restitution shall be paid by cash payments only.
Criminal cases
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A defendant serving an active jail or penitentiary sentence in Virginia may request waiver of interest accruing on outstanding fines and costs during incarceration and must submit the proper forms.
If a defendant serves an active sentence of jail or penitentiary time in the Commonwealth, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 19.2-353.5, interest on any outstanding fines and costs owed to the Court or ANY other Court, which may accrue during the period when the defendant is incarcerated, will be waived by the Court upon the defendant's request. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present to the Court the proper forms to be eligible for the waiver of interest.
Criminal cases
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Community service performed during incarceration must be verified by the Virginia Department of Corrections and is credited at $12.32 per hour for service performed after January 1, 2026.
Community Service performed while a defendant is incarcerated must be verified by the Virginia Department of Corrections. The defendant shall receive a rate of $12.32 per hour for services performed after 01/01/2026.
Criminal cases
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A defendant who disagrees with the Clerk’s payment-plan terms may ask the Clerk to place the matter on the Court’s docket for the Judge.
If you disagree with the Payment Plan and Terms set by the Clerk, you may request that the Clerk place the matter on the Court's docket for the Judge to establish a
Criminal cases
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The Court may set or amend payment-plan terms when provider invoices are submitted.
Payment Plans and their terms may be set by the Court and may be amended at the discretion of the Court when invoices from providers are submitted.
Criminal cases
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Chambers Communication Rules
The defendant must promptly inform the Court of any mailing-address change during the payment agreement.
You shall promptly inform this Court of any change of mailing address during the term of the agreement.
Criminal cases
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Cases may be set between docket calls by agreement of counsel and telephone confirmation with the judge’s secretary.
Cases set on term date; may also be set between docket calls by agreement of Counsel and confirmation with judge's secretary by telephone at 540-965-1738.
Page 1 | Terms of Court and General Information