VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The City of Virginia Beach General District Court released an updated order of operations on July 20 to included courtroom cases and trial appearances that are set in the courtroom.
This information comes during Gov. Ralph Northam’s phase 3 of the Forward Virginia blueprint.
The court order is in effect until Aug. 9.
The order is in accordance with the Virginia Supreme Court declarations of judicial emergency and states that the General District Court of Virginia Beach will operate under the following adjusted guidelines:
From the list below, one through three are the additions to the most recent update.
- (1) Criminal cases set in courtrooms 1 and 2 will take place as currently scheduled. Only those persons directly involved in the cases as parties, witnesses or attorneys will be permitted in the courtrooms.
- (2) Cases set in for traffic courtroom C will take place as currently scheduled. Only those persons directly involved in the cases as parties, witnesses or attorneys will be permitted in the courtroom.
- (3) Beginning on July 1, 2020, cases set in traffic courtrooms A and B will take place as currently scheduled. Only those persons directly involved in the cases as parties, witnesses or attorneys will be permitted in the courtrooms.
- (4) Cases set in civil courtrooms A and B will take place as currently scheduled. Only those persons directly involved in the cases as parties, witnesses or attorneys will be permitted in the courtrooms.
- (5) Felony bond hearings will be conducted at 8:00 a.m. In traffic courtroom D. Inmates will appear via video feed from the jail. Attendance is limited to victims, witnesses and attorneys.
- (6) Misdemeanor bond hearings will be held at 9:00 a.m. In traffic courtroom D. Inmates will appear via video feed from the jail. Attendance is limited to victims, witnesses and attorneys.*
- (7) Arraignments of in-custody defendants will be held at 1:00 p.m. In traffic courtroom D. Inmates will appear via video feed from the jail. Attendance is limited to victims, witnesses and attorneys.
Aside from the listed above instances, city officials said that people will not be admitted into the courtrooms without court permission.
All persons permitted to enter the courthouse need to to wear face masks or covering.
The clerk’s offices of the General District Court are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for conduct of the business of the Court. Persons needing to file papers with the Court are encouraged to do so by mail or by the drop box located in front of the main entrance to the Courthouse.
Case information can be found online. Detailed information including times, case hearing dates, and new civil case filings can be found online.
More information on the Virginia General District Court can be found on the judicial system’s website.
