Courts & Court Services
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Courts & Court Services

July 19, 2002

Circuit Court

The Fairfax Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit) is the trial court of general jurisdiction. The Fairfax Circuit Court is the largest trial court in Virginia

It is composed of 15 full-time and five retired trial judges. The Circuit Court has authority to try a full range of cases, both civil and criminal, jury and non-jury. Civil cases include business disputes, personal injury, and domestic relations cases. The Court also hears felony criminal cases. A felony is a crime punishable by one or more years in a state prison. The Court also hears appeals of misdemeanor and traffic cases from the General District Court and Juvenile Courts.

General Information

Jennings Building Judicial Center

4110 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, VA 22030

Clerks Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday (Phone inquiries until 4:30 p.m.)

Fairfax County Circuit Court Information Line: 703-691-7320

Circuit Court Judges

Michael McWeeny

Chief Judge

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Washington and Lee University

Law School: University of Notre Dame

Date Sworn In: March 14, 1988

Marcus Williams

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Fisk University

Law School: Columbus School of Law, Catholic University

Date Sworn In: October 12, 1990

Stanley Klein

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: State College of New York (Buffalo)

Law School: Georgetown Law Center

Date Sworn In: July 1, 1992

Robert Wooldridge, Jr.

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: William & Mary

Graduate School: University of Virginia

Law School William & Mary

Date Sworn In: September 9, 1992

Arthur Vieregg, Jr.

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Duke University

Law School: Duke Law School

Date Sworn In: March 16, 1993

Jane Marum Roush

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Wellesley College

Law School: University of Virginia

Date Sworn In: July 1, 1993

Dennis Smith

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Brooklyn College

Law School: Washington College of Law

Date Sworn In: June 1, 1995

M. Langhorne Keith

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: University of Virginia

Law School: University of Virginia

Date Sworn In: March 17, 1995

David Stitt

Judicial Circuit: 19th

College: Davidson College

Law School: University of Texas

Date Sworn In: July 1, 1995

Leslie Alden

College: George Mason University

Law School: George Mason University

Date Sworn In: Aug. 1, 1996

Kathleen MacKay

College: University of Illinois

Law School: Fletcher School, Tufts University

Date Sworn In: Dec. 12, 1997

Jonathan Thacher

College: University of Miami

Law School: George Mason University

Date Sworn In: May 28, 1998

Henry Hudson

College: American University

Law School: American University

Date Sworn In: Dec. 7, 1998

R. Terrence Ney

College: Harvard College

Law School: University of Texas

Date Sworn In: Jan. 12, 1999

General District Court

The Fairfax County General District Court is located in Virginia's 19th Judicial District serving the County of Fairfax, the City of Fairfax, and the Towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton. The number of judges and their salaries are set by the General Assembly and provided for in the Code of Virginia.

The 10 judges of the Fairfax County General District Court are headed by a chief judge who is elected by the judges to serve for a period of two years. This position is currently held by Chief Judge Richard Horan.

District Courts in Virginia operate under the administrative guidance of the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Committee on District Courts, which determines the staff and salary needs of each court. Currently, the Fairfax County General District Court has 79 state employees and is headed by the Clerk of Court, Nancy Lake.

The Court's address is:

The Fairfax County General District Court

4110 Chain Bridge Road

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Contact Numbers:

Traffic Division 703-246-3764

Criminal Division 703-691-7320

Civil Division 703-691-7320

Judges' Chambers, Room 232, 703-246-2153

Clerk of Court, Room 232, 703-246-2153

City and Town Courts

Fairfax County General District Court judges hear cases in three additional courthouses for the City of Fairfax and the towns of Herndon and Vienna. Only traffic and criminal misdemeanors and infractions are heard at these courthouses. All civil cases are heard at the Judicial Center. Felonies and misdemeanors charged under the State Code are heard at the Judicial Center also. The City of Fairfax has its own court clerical office, while the towns of Herndon and Vienna are staffed by clerks who travel from the Judicial Center on days when court is scheduled.

City of Fairfax - 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.

Phone: 703-385-7866, Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Court: Tuesdays and Thursday only, 9:30 a.m.

Town of Herndon- 765 Lynn Street, Herndon, Virginia 22070

Phone: 703-435-6838 in Herndon on Wednesdays only, 703-691-7320 in Judicial Center for criminal cases or 703-246-3764 for traffic cases

Court: Wednesdays only, 9:30 a.m.

Town of Vienna- 127 S. Center Street, Vienna, Virginia 22180

Phone: 703-255-6312 in Vienna on Mondays only, 703-691-7320 in Judicial Center for criminal cases or 703-246-3764 for traffic cases

Court: Mondays only, 9:30 a.m.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

This court deals with juveniles thought to have committed offenses which are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Petitions or complaints against juveniles may be filed by police officers, citizens, families or other agencies. The court provides intake services at the courthouse in Fairfax and at its satellite offices in Reston and Alexandria.

It also has jurisdiction over people experiencing domestic problems, such as family abuse or disagreement on issues of spousal support, child support, custody or visitation. In family abuse situations, staff will help the client petition the court for a protective order but cannot process or withdraw charges of assault and battery.

General Information:

Address: 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone Number for Information: 703-691-7320, press 5