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