Richmond City Circuit Court, Virginia
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Email
Adjournments
- A party should request a continuance as soon as practicable by filing a motion and sketch order with the clerk’s office; both documents should identify the requester, state whether the other parties object or concur, give the good cause, and state the number of prior continuances.
- Agreed motions to continue filed in advance are generally liberally granted in civil matters.
- The parties should endeavor to request continuances in a timely manner to avoid inconvenience and wasted judicial resources.
- +2 more
Request must include
Communication
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Pursuant to Rule 4:15, briefs in civil cases may not exceed 20 pages, double spaced, absent leave of the Court.
- Brief
- Up to 20 pages
- Format
- Double-spaced
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Document Format Requirements9 rules
Participants must file original documentation of the hours you worked each month (no photocopies).
The AI-use certification must appear at the end of or be attached to the filing.
Court's wording
The use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools is not prohibited in this Court. However, all attorneys and pro se litigants alike shall henceforth provide a disclosure in the form of a certification at the end of, or attached to, filings disclosing the use of AI in any pleading, exhibit to any pleading, memoranda, sketch order, or any other filing.
The proposed jury-instruction copy submitted to the court must be a hard copy.
- File type
- Paper
Court's wording
Pursuant to Rule 1:15(c) and Rule 3A:16 (b), this Court directs that counsel for all parties, unless compliance is waived by the judge assigned to hear the case, must, two days prior to a jury trial date, submit to the court a copy of all instructions such counsel proposes to request via hand-delivery of a hard copy to the attention of the Law Clerk assigned to the Presiding Judge, copying all parties.
“Brevity is enjoined as the outstanding characteristic of good pleading. In any pleading a simple statement, in numbered paragraphs, of the essential facts is sufficient.” Va. Sup. Ct. R. 1:4.
- Pleading
Formatting
- •Brevity is enjoined; state the essential facts simply in numbered paragraphs
Motions should be filed in writing with the clerk’s office as far in advance of trial as practicable, but in no event shall any party file a motion outside of any time periods as may be proscribed by the Code of Virginia or Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Digital evidence stored in the cloud does not have a physical presence that can be placed into the record.
The Court encourages electronic exhibit publication and requests that a smaller version of any bulky demonstrative exhibit be introduced into the record.
Court's wording
The Court encourages the parties to follow the procedures for publishing exhibits electronically to the jury. Should a party desire to use a bulky exhibit like a posterboard, the Court requests the party introduce a smaller version of the bulky demonstrative exhibit into the record.
The Court strongly encourages the use of the Uniform Pre-Trial Scheduling Order.
Storage of audio and/or visual evidence on a flash drive is preferred over other storage media such as DVD or CD.
Document Filing Requirements35 rules
A person who owes fines or costs may enter a $25-per-month plan or agree to pay the balance in full within six months by executing Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
Court's wording
Anyone that owes fines or costs in this Court, regardless of financial need, may enter into an agreement to pay $25.00/month or an agreement to pay the entire balance of fines and costs in full within six (6) months by executing the agreement Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
To apply for community-service credit, a person must complete Form DC-211 with the relevant case numbers, select the community-service-credit option, and file the form with the Clerk’s Office.
Court's wording
A person that owes fines or costs in this Court may apply to receive credit for community service work by (1) completing Form DC-211, including the section for listing the case numbers associated with their request; (2) checking the box on the form that states “[X] by doing community service work to earn credit for fines and costs only, if available”; (3) filing the Form DC-211 with the Clerk’s Office;
Documentation must be on the letterhead of the 501(c)(3) organization and must state (i) the dates of service, (ii) the hours worked on each date of service, and include (iii) the name, contact information, and signature of the representative of the non-profit organization that supervised your community service hours.
An application for credit for qualifying work during imprisonment requires a completed Form DC-212, either a correctional-facility letter or a facility representative’s completed form section, and filing the fully executed and notarized form with applicable attachments in the Clerk’s Office.
Court's wording
A person that owes fines or costs imposed by this Court may apply to receive credit for qualifying work performed during imprisonment by (1) fully completing Form DC-212; (2) and following the instructions on the form, which require that they either (i) attach a letter/statement from the correctional facility or (ii) have a representative of the correctional facility fill in the appropriate section of the form; and (3) filing the fully executed and notarized Form DC-212 with the Clerk’s office, along with any applicable attachments.
Participants must either sign the letter under oath in person at the Clerk’s Office or sign it before a notary who notarizes it and attaches a certificate of the sworn attestation.
Court's wording
Participants must either (i) return to the Clerk’s Office in person to sign the letter under oath, attesting the information in the letter is accurate and true or (ii) sign the letter before a notary public, who must notarize the letter and affix a certificate attesting that you swore the information in the letter is accurate and true.
B. The visitor must bring a physical copy of the prior written judicial authorization to the courthouse.
The presiding judge assigned to the visitor’s case must give the written authorization.
Court's wording
A. The prior written judicial authorization for the possession of the electronic device, other than a portable electronic device as defined by Code § 16.1-69.35:4(A), must be given by the presiding judge assigned to the case for which the visitor is coming to court.
VI. A visitor to the court must have prior written judicial authorization to possess any electronic device that is not a portable electronic device as defined by Code § 16.1-69.35:4(A).
Attorneys and pro se litigants must provide an AI-use certification with any pleading, pleading exhibit, memorandum, sketch order, or other filing.
- Document
- Filing
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
The use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools is not prohibited in this Court. However, all attorneys and pro se litigants alike shall henceforth provide a disclosure in the form of a certification at the end of, or attached to, filings disclosing the use of AI in any pleading, exhibit to any pleading, memoranda, sketch order, or any other filing.
Henceforth all attorneys and pro se litigants shall also, ten (10) days before any trial or evidentiary hearing, file a certification disclosing the use of AI in any proposed exhibits (including demonstrative exhibits).
- Document
- Certification for proposed exhibits
Must include
- •AI disclosure
The AI disclosure certifies that AI tools were used and that the filing is factually and legally warranted; the certification applies only to that filing.
- Document
- Filing
Include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
I hereby certify that artificial intelligence ("AI") tools were utilized in the drafting, creation, enhancement, or modification of the instant filing. Pursuant to the duty found in Va. Code § 8.01-271.1(B), notwithstanding the assistance from AI tools, to the best of my knowledge, the content of this filing is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law. I acknowledge that this certification only applies to the instant filing.
Any party not represented by counsel must file a written statement of their place of residence and mailing address and notify the clerk in writing of any changes.
No motions dates will be scheduled until the moving party has filed their motion with the clerk’s office and certified that they have provided a copy of their motion to all parties.
Attorneys perfecting filings in the clerk’s office must place at the foot of their filings: their Virginia State Bar number, office address, telephone number, business email address, and business fax number.
As a condition of any payment agreement, the Court must receive prompt notification of any change in mailing address.
A written pleading reflecting any scheduled hearing or trial date should be timely filed and provided to all parties by Notice of Hearing, Praecipe, or consent Pretrial Scheduling Order.
The parties should submit an agreed upon Pre-Trial Scheduling Order promptly.
If a certified copy of any order entered pursuant to a filing is requested of the Court, please provide the clerk’s office with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for that purpose.
The moving party should prepare a sketch order and either file it in advance with the accompanying motion or bring it to a scheduled motions hearing date.
All criminal discovery motions filed pursuant to Rule 3A:11 should be either accompanied by a sketch order or docketed for hearing.
Any cases upon which counsel intends to rely should be cited in the motion and reply or in the accompanying brief.
Similarly, responses to the motion should clearly state: 1) any relevant facts on which the response relies or any corrections to the facts supplied by the movant; 2) all law on which the respondent relies; 3) argument in support of the denial of the motion.
In civil matters, the parties should provide the Court with copies of the objected discovery replies filed as exhibits appended to their motions and responses regarding the sufficiency of discovery as well as the required certification of good faith attempt to confer.
- Document
- Discovery motion and response
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
In criminal matters, the Court should be provided with a copy at the hearing of any discovery materials that are the subject of the dispute between the parties so that the Court is able to rule on the sufficiency of the disclosure.
Counsel should prepare to argue disputed jury instructions and bring copies of any cited law for the Court and all parties.
Court's wording
Counsel should be prepared for argument as to the instructions that are not agreed and should be prepared with any law they wish to present to the Court. Counsel should bring a copy of any law cited for the Court and for all parties.
Such copies should note the authority or authorities relied upon for such instructions. This rule does not preclude the offering of additional instructions at the trial.
For trial, counsel should prepare jury instructions that do not contain a notation of the authority upon which they are based.
The requesting party should fill in the Technology Reservation Request Form.
The Court encourages advance discussion of jury instructions; if the parties do not discuss them beforehand, counsel may have to do so during a break, and the parties should prepare agreed and disputed instruction sets.
Court's wording
The Court encourages the parties to discuss the jury instructions in advance, so they are prepared for trial. If the parties choose not to discuss the instructions in advance, counsel may be required to discuss the instructions during a break in the proceedings. The parties should be prepared to present to the Court a set of agreed instructions and a set of instructions on which the parties request the Court hear argument.
The Court encourages litigants to state a motion’s grounds with particularity, including relevant facts, supporting law, and argument.
Court's wording
The Court encourages litigants to state with particularity the grounds upon which the motion is based, to include: 1) any relevant facts on which the motion relies; 2) all law upon which the movant relies; 3) argument in support of the motion.
It assists the Court if the party drafting the proposed order endorses the draft prior to forwarding it to the other parties for endorsement and delivery for filing with the Clerk.
If the opposing party has filed an objection to the motion, it is best practice for the opposing party to prepare a sketch order for the Court to consider in case the Court denies the motion.
A request for a different payment agreement requires a fully completed Form DC-211 with financial information and a selected payment option, filed with the Clerk’s Office; if approved, the applicant must execute Form CC-1379 there.
Court's wording
A person that owes fines or costs in this Court may request approval for a different payment agreement by (1) fully completing Form DC-211, including the section regarding financial information; (2) checking the appropriate box on the form to indicate whether the applicant would like to pay the amount owed “[ ] in periodic payments” or “[ ] in one payment due in full on a future date”; (3) filing the fully completed Form DC-211 in the Clerk’s Office; and (5) if an agreement is authorized, executing the payment agreement Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
A person who previously defaulted may petition for another payment agreement by filing a fully completed Form DC-211 with financial information and a selected payment option; if approved, the person must execute Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
Court's wording
A person that has previously defaulted may petition for a subsequent payment agreement by (1) fully completing Form DC-211, including the section regarding financial information; (2) checking the appropriate box on the form to indicate whether the applicant would like to pay the amount owed “[ ] in periodic payments” or “[ ] in one payment due in full on a future date”; (3) filing the fully completed Form DC-211 in the Clerk’s Office; and (5) if an agreement is authorized, executing the payment agreement Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
A modification request based on a good-faith showing of need requires a completed Form DC-211 with financial information, the modification box checked, the reason supplied, and the form filed with the Clerk’s Office; if approved, Form CC-1379 must be executed there.
Court's wording
A person that already has a payment agreement may request a modification based on a good faith showing of need by (1) fully completing Form DC-211, including the section regarding financial information; (2) checking the box on the form that states “[X] I respectfully ask the court to change my current payment agreement;” (3) filling in the section of the form regarding the reason for the request; (4) filing the fully completed Form DC-211 in the Clerk’s Office; and (6) if an agreement is authorized, executing the payment agreement Form CC-1379 in the Clerk’s Office.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Only licensed attorneys may use the e-filing system.
The e-filing system is only available to licensed attorneys at this time.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
Filings may not be submitted to the clerk's office by email or fax.
The clerk’s office does not accept filings made via email or fax.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
The clerk's office accepts filings delivered in person or by first-class mail.
The clerk’s office accepts filings made in person or by first class mail.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
The clerk’s office accepts filings in person, by first-class mail, or through the e-filing system.
The clerk’s office accepts filings made in person, by first class mail, or by use of the e-filing system.
Page 5 | Filings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The certification disclosing AI use in proposed exhibits is due ten days before any trial or evidentiary hearing.
Henceforth all attorneys and pro se litigants shall also, ten (10) days before any trial or evidentiary hearing, file a certification disclosing the use of AI in any proposed exhibits (including demonstrative exhibits).
Page 1 | LOCAL RULE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The written date-setting documents may be filed only after the court's docketing procedures have selected the date.
These documents are only to be filed after the date has been selected pursuant to the docketing procedures of the Court.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
The Clerk of Court must receive and file pleadings when they are tendered.
The Clerk of Court must receive and file all pleadings when tendered, see Rule 3:3.
Page 5 | Filings
Motions should be filed as far in advance of trial as practicable and may not be filed outside the time periods prescribed by Virginia law or court rules.
Motions should be filed in writing with the clerk’s office as far in advance of trial as practicable, but in no event shall any party file a motion outside of any time periods as may be proscribed by the Code of Virginia or Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Page 7 | Filings: motions
Absent leave of Court, briefs must be filed and served at least 14 days before the hearing, while briefs in opposition must be filed and served at least 7 days before it.
Absent leave of the Court, a brief shall be filed and served at least 14 days before the hearing and any brief in opposition generated in response must be filed and served at least 7 days before the hearing.
Page 8 | Filings: briefs and memoranda
Briefs must be filed with the Court and served on counsel and/or unrepresented parties early enough for the issues to be considered before the hearing.
Briefs shall be filed with the Court and served on counsel and/or unrepresented parties far enough in advance of hearing to allow for consideration of the issues involved.
Page 8 | Filings: briefs and memoranda
Unless the assigned judge waives compliance, counsel must submit and copy all parties on proposed jury instructions two days before trial.
Pursuant to Rule 1:15(c) and Rule 3A:16 (b), this Court directs that counsel for all parties, unless compliance is waived by the judge assigned to hear the case, must, two days prior to a jury trial date, submit to the court a copy of all instructions such counsel proposes to request via hand-delivery of a hard copy to the attention of the Law Clerk assigned to the Presiding Judge, copying all parties.
Page 9
If the parties have resolved their matter or wish to remove the trial or hearing date(s) from the docket, they should file the appropriate pleadings to either dispose of the case or remove the matter from the docket immediately and email a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk for the assigned judge, copying all parties, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. If the matter is civil, please also include Stephanie Stutz at stephanie.stutz@rva.gov and Shelton Johnson at shelton.johnson@rva.gov.10
If the parties have resolved their matter or wish to remove the trial or hearing date(s) from the docket, they should file the appropriate pleadings to either dispose of the case or remove the matter from the docket immediately and email a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk for the assigned judge, copying all parties, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. If the matter is civil, please also include Stephanie Stutz at stephanie.stutz@rva.gov and Shelton Johnson at shelton.johnson@rva.gov.10
Page 7 | Filings: motions
The Court strongly encourages parties to docket and notice motions before trial rather than seek to postpone trial to hear them.
To avoid the issues that arise due to last minute preparation, the Court strongly encourages: • Docketing and noticing any motions in advance of trial. It is an imposition on the witnesses, as well as jurors in the event the matter is docketed for jury, to appear at the trial date requesting to postpone the commencement of trial until after motions are heard.
Page 9
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The moving party must provide a copy of the motion to all parties and certify that it did so before a motion date is scheduled.
No motions dates will be scheduled until the moving party has filed their motion with the clerk’s office and certified that they have provided a copy of their motion to all parties.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
A matter cannot be scheduled on the docket until service is complete and 21 days have passed, unless counsel agree otherwise or a rule or statute provides otherwise.
Matters in which the moving party has not issued service cannot be scheduled on the docket until service is complete and twenty-one days have passed, unless otherwise agreed upon by counsel or provided by rule or statute.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
Civil motions must be preceded by reasonable written notice served at least seven days before the hearing, unless the Court waives the requirement.
Pursuant to Rule 4:15(b), all civil motions must be preceded by reasonable notice, in writing and served at least seven days before the hearing unless this requirement is waived by the Court.
Page 7 | Filings: motions
Briefs must be served on counsel and/or unrepresented parties early enough for the issues to be considered before the hearing.
Briefs shall be filed with the Court and served on counsel and/or unrepresented parties far enough in advance of hearing to allow for consideration of the issues involved.
Page 8 | Filings: briefs and memoranda
Absent leave of Court, briefs must be served at least 14 days before the hearing.
Absent leave of the Court, a brief shall be filed and served at least 14 days before the hearing and any brief in opposition generated in response must be filed and served at least 7 days before the hearing.
Page 8 | Filings: briefs and memoranda
Pursuant to Rule 1:15(c) and Rule 3A:16 (b), this Court directs that counsel for all parties, unless compliance is waived by the judge assigned to hear the case, must, two days prior to a jury trial date, submit to the court a copy of all instructions such counsel proposes to request via hand-delivery of a hard copy to the attention of the Law Clerk assigned to the Presiding Judge, copying all parties.
Pursuant to Rule 1:15(c) and Rule 3A:16 (b), this Court directs that counsel for all parties, unless compliance is waived by the judge assigned to hear the case, must, two days prior to a jury trial date, submit to the court a copy of all instructions such counsel proposes to request via hand-delivery of a hard copy to the attention of the Law Clerk assigned to the Presiding Judge, copying all parties.
Page 9
A written pleading reflecting any scheduled hearing or trial date should be timely filed and provided to all parties by Notice of Hearing, Praecipe, or consent Pretrial Scheduling Order.
A written pleading reflecting any scheduled hearing or trial date should be timely filed and provided to all parties by Notice of Hearing, Praecipe, or consent Pretrial Scheduling Order.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
Emails or cover letters accompanying courtesy copies should be copied to all parties.
Any emails or cover letters should be copied to all parties.
Page 6 | Filings: courtesy copies for the Court
The Court encourages parties to share exhibits with one another at least five days before trial.
To avoid the issues that arise due to last minute preparation, the Court strongly encourages: • The Court encourages the parties to share exhibits at least 5 days in advance of trial to allow for the opportunity to address objections in advance of trial via a motion in limine.
Page 9
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies will be considered only if the document has been filed in writing with the clerk’s office and proper notice has been given to all parties.
Courtesy copies will only be considered if a written filing is made with the clerk’s office and proper notice is given to all parties.
Page 6 | Filings: courtesy copies for the Court
When a matter is resolved or a trial or hearing date should be removed, the parties should promptly file appropriate pleadings and email a courtesy copy to the assigned judge’s Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk, copying all parties; civil matters should also include the named recipients.
If the parties have resolved their matter or wish to remove the trial or hearing date(s) from the docket, they should file the appropriate pleadings to either dispose of the case or remove the matter from the docket immediately and email a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk for the assigned judge, copying all parties, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. If the matter is civil, please also include Stephanie Stutz at stephanie.stutz@rva.gov and Shelton Johnson at shelton.johnson@rva.gov.10
Page 7 | Filings: motions
Courtesy copies may be sent by email to the Presiding Judge’s Judicial Assistant or Law Clerk, or provided as hard copies addressed to chambers with the Presiding Judge’s name noted.
Courtesy copies for chambers may be provided by email to the Judicial Assistant or Law Clerk for the Presiding Judge or may be provided by hard copy directed to the attention of chambers with a note as to the name of the Presiding Judge.
Page 6 | Filings: courtesy copies for the Court
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Counsel must confer and make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue before giving notice of a motion.
Counsel must confer and make a good faith effort to resolve the issue raised in the motion prior to giving notice of a motion.
Page 7 | Filings: motions
For a motion where an incarcerated self-represented person is counsel of record, the Court will hear oral argument only if the Court requests it.
In any motion where a pro se incarcerated person is counsel of record, the Court will only hear oral arguments on such motion at the request of the Court.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
The parties are encouraged to try to resolve disputes about the sufficiency of discovery responses themselves and should docket a hearing if they cannot resolve the dispute.
In all matters before the Court, the parties are encouraged to attempt to resolve disputes about the sufficiency of discovery responses between themselves. If the parties are unable to resolve the matter, they should docket a hearing.
Page 8 | Pretrial Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party should request a continuance as soon as practicable by filing a motion and sketch order with the clerk’s office; both documents should identify the requester, state whether the other parties object or concur, give the good cause, and state the number of prior continuances.
A party requesting a continuance should do so as soon as practicable by filing a motion and sketch order with the clerk’s office to be considered by the judge assigned to hear the trial. The motion and sketch order should both include the following information: 1) who is requesting the continuance, 2) whether the requesting party knows if the other parties object or concur with the request, 3) the good cause for the continuance, and 4) the number of times the hearing or trial has previously be continued.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
The Presiding Judge has discretion to grant a continuance, and the matter remains on the docket until the Court enters an order continuing it.
Continuances are granted at the discretion of the Presiding Judge. The matter shall remain on the docket until such time as the Court may enter an order continuing the case.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
Continuance requests should not be made directly to the Court unless an emergency arises after the clerk’s office closes the day before the scheduled hearing or trial and before the scheduled date and time.
Requests for continuances should not be made directly to the Court except in cases of an emergency that arises between the close of the clerk’s office the day before the scheduled hearing or trial and the scheduled hearing or trial date and time.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
The parties should endeavor to request continuances in a timely manner to avoid inconvenience and wasted judicial resources.
The parties shall endeavor to make motions to continue in a timely manner to avoid inconvenience to the other party, the witnesses, and prospective jurors and to avoid the waste of judicial resources.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
Agreed motions to continue filed in advance are generally liberally granted in civil matters.
Agreed motions to continue filed with the Court in advance are generally liberally granted in civil matters.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
Chambers Communication Rules
If the opposing self-represented parties' email addresses are unknown and absent from the information sheet, the scheduling litigant must obtain their available dates before contacting the judicial assistant.
If the other party or parties are also not represented by counsel and the pro se litigant does not know their email address and their email address was not included on the Pro Se Litigant Information Sheet, the litigant seeking to schedule the trial or hearing shall contact the opposing party or parties and get their available dates prior to communicating with the judicial assistant about scheduling.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
Self-represented parties must schedule trials and hearings of any length by emailing the assigned judge's judicial assistant and copying all parties.
Parties who are representing themselves (proceeding pro se) schedule all trials and hearings regardless of length by emailing the judicial assistant for the judge assigned to the case, copying all parties to the case on the email.
Page 3 | Information for People Representing Themselves
Emailing court staff about substantive matters, to argue a position, or to seek legal advice is prohibited.
Emailing court staff on substantive matters, arguing your position on any matter, or seeking legal advice from court staff is strictly prohibited.
Page 3 | Email policy
Schedule matters involving self-represented parties by emailing the Presiding Judge's judicial assistant and copying all parties.
Any matters involving parties representing themselves are scheduled by emailing the Judicial Assistant for the Presiding Judge, copying all parties to the case on the email.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
Schedule hearings expected to last less than two hours by emailing the Presiding Judge's judicial assistant and copying all parties.
Hearings expected to be shorter than two hours are scheduled by emailing the Judicial Assistant for the Presiding Judge, copying all parties to the case on the email.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
When scheduling a trial or hearing, parties must give a realistic time estimate that accounts for openings, evidence, cross-examination, rebuttal, and argument, including motions commonly heard that day.
When scheduling either a trial or hearing date, you must provide a realistic estimate of the amount of time required on the docket to complete the matter. When calculating the realistic estimate of the amount of time required, please count the amount of time necessary for any opening statements of all parties, the taking of any necessary evidence from each party, the time needed for any cross- examination, the time required for any rebuttal evidence, and the time required for all parties to present argument on the issues, including any motions to strike or other mid-trial and post-trial motions generally heard on the date of trial.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
For represented parties, schedule trials and hearings expected to last more than two hours by emailing both named clerk's-office contacts and copying all parties.
Trials where the parties are represented by counsel are scheduled with the clerk’s office by emailing Stephanie Stutz at stephanie.stutz@rva.gov and Shelton Johnson at shelton.johnson@rva.gov and including all parties on their email communications. Hearings expected to last longer than two hours where the parties are represented by counsel are scheduled with the clerk’s office by emailing Stephanie Stutz at stephanie.stutz@rva.gov and Shelton Johnson at shelton.johnson@rva.gov and including all parties on their email communications.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
When scheduling a trial, the party must tell the clerk or judicial assistant whether it will be a bench or jury trial.
When scheduling a trial date, you must let the clerk or judicial assistant know if it is being scheduled for a bench trial or a jury trial.
Page 4 | Civil Scheduling
Litigants and attorneys must file through the clerk’s office; direct communications about case matters are not accepted unless made as a written clerk’s-office filing with proper notice to all parties, and filings sent through chambers or law clerks will be returned.
Litigants and attorneys must perfect all filings through the clerk’s office. The Court does not accept motions, pleadings, information, or requests made outside of a court proceeding related to cases via direct communication with the Court by any means including telephone call, email, or letter. These will only be considered if a written filing is made with the clerk’s office and proper notice is given to all parties. Any attempts at filing documents through chambers or the law clerks will be returned to sender with a cover letter. This may result in delays in your case.
Page 5 | Filings
For an emergency continuance request, email the assigned judge’s Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk, copy all parties, and call the Clerk’s Office.
If an emergency arises: 1) email the Judicial Assistant and Law Clerk for the assigned judge, copying all parties, and 2) call the Clerk’s Office.
Page 6 | Filings: continuances and removing matters from the docket
Applicants must call the Clerk’s Office within 5–7 days after filing Form DC-211 to ask about the request’s status.
contacting the Clerk’s Office at (804)646-6553 within 5 - 7 days of filing Form DC-211 regarding the status of the request
Criminal cases · Court notice
Page 1 | Payment Agreements
A community-service-credit applicant must call the Clerk’s Office within 5–7 days to follow up on the request’s status.
following up regarding the status of their request within 5 - 7 days by calling the Clerk’s Office at (804) 646-6553.
Criminal cases · Court notice
Page 1 | Community Service (charitable organization)
Use the listed email address only for general inquiries; do not use email for case-related legal matters or to contact judges, and inappropriate emails will not be answered or forwarded.
E-mail correspondence is restricted to general inquiries only and is not intended for any legal matter pertaining to cases filed in Richmond Circuit Court nor is it intended for communication with any judges. Inappropriate e-mail will not be answered or forwarded. • General Inquiries: circuitcourtclerkinformation@rva.gov
Page 1 | Richmond Circuit Court: Email Inquiries
Communications with civil law clerks should be sent by email with all parties copied.
Law Clerks (civil) (Please communicate via email copying all parties):
Page 1 | Law Clerks (civil)
Communications with judicial assistants should be sent by email with all parties copied.
Judicial Assistants (Please communicate via email copying all parties):
Page 1 | Judicial Assistants
Communications with the Staff Attorney/Court Administrator should be sent by email with all parties copied.
Staff Attorney/Court Administrator (Please communicate via email copying all parties):
Page 1 | Staff Attorney/Court Administrator
When emailing court staff, parties should be copied on the communication.
When communicating via email with court staff, please copy all parties on the communication to avoid the appearance of any ex parte communications.
Page 3 | Email policy
Criminal trials and hearings are usually scheduled before Docket Call by emailing the Presiding Judge’s Judicial Assistant and copying all parties; if the defense does not provide dates and appear at Docket Call, the Court may use only the Commonwealth’s dates, and it may require on-record scheduling for serious felonies or in its discretion.
Trials and hearings on criminal cases are usually pre-scheduled prior to Docket Call by emailing the Judicial Assistant for the Presiding Judge, copying all parties to the case on the email. The cases are then set for trial and motions hearing (if a motions hearing is known to be needed at the time of Docket Call) by Order at Docket Call. If the defense fails to provide dates in the emails with the Judicial Assistant and fails to appear to set the matter at Docket Call, the Court will select a date for trial using only the Commonwealth’s available dates. For more serious felonies, or in its discretion, the Court may require the parties to schedule the matter for trial at a proceeding on the record.
Page 5 | Criminal Scheduling
For a hearing in a criminal case previously set for trial, the motion generally should be filed before scheduling; bond hearings may be scheduled before filing, and after filing the movant should email the assigned judge’s Judicial Assistant and copy all parties to docket the hearing.
If a need arises for a hearing on a criminal case previously set for trial, these hearings are generally set after the motion has been filed. The Court may make an exception for scheduling bond hearings before they have been filed, however other motions should be filed with the clerk’s office prior to any attempts to schedule a hearing. This allows the parties an opportunity to review the motion to determine the need for evidence or witnesses prior to scheduling the matter as these considerations may influence the amount of time allotted for the hearing. Once the motion has been filed, the movant should initiate the process of docketing the matter for hearing by emailing the judicial assistant for the judge assigned to the case, copying all parties to the case on the email.
Page 5 | Criminal Scheduling
Parties seeking advance technology setup or a courtroom viewing should email Virginia Bray and copy all parties; the same email procedure applies when devices are not accompanied by a licensed attorney, and short-notice requests might not be accommodated.
If any party wants to set up technology in advance of a scheduled trial or hearing, they should email the Court Administrator & Staff Attorney, Virginia Bray, copying all parties. The requesting party should fill in the Technology Reservation Request Form. These provisions also apply to requests for viewing the courtroom in advance to determine what technology might be needed and/or accommodated in the space. Pursuant to a Standing Order of this Court, non-attorneys are generally not permitted to bring electronic devices into the courthouse. If your technological devices will not be accompanied by a licensed attorney, please email as outlined above. Any requests made upon short notice might not be accommodated.
Page 9 | Trial Procedures
Email the listed address to request information about the secure remote access subscription service.
Please email [email protected] if you would like more information regarding this subscription service.
Page 1 | General Information
Call the assigned judge’s office at least two days in advance to reserve courtroom equipment.
To reserve the equipment, please call the office of the judge assigned to the case at least two days in advance.
Page 1 | General Information
Court staff email addresses may be used for scheduling, non-substantive administrative matters, and courtesy copies of pleadings and briefs already filed with the clerk.
The email addresses of court staff are provided for the purposes of scheduling, addressing other non- substantive administrative matters, and providing a courtesy copy of pleadings and briefs that have already been filed with the Clerk of Court.
Page 3 | Email policy