If you are a resident of the state of Virginia, then you have a legal right to examine Virginia court records. With access to Virginia court records, you will be able to find a plethora of information on individuals living in the state. In fact, there is practically no limit to the amount of information collected by the Virginia court system. If you are willing to take the time to search through numerous Virginia court records, you are sure to find a considerable amount of interesting data. That is so long as you know where to look.

It does not matter if you are searching for Virginia court records because you want to find out of your next door neighbor has a criminal past, or if your new boyfriend has ever gone through a divorce. You will find the information you seek and so much more by going through Virginia court records.

The Virginia Court System

In order to find the Virginia court records that you need, it is important for you to take the time to understand fully the Virginia trial court system.

The general district courts, circuit courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts make up the trial court system in the state of Virginia. The circuit courts have general authority over criminal as well as civil case, but typically on hear the cases that go beyond the jurisdiction of the other Virginia courts. The civil cases that the Virginia circuit courts hear involve monetary claims that exceed $4,500, in addition to criminal cases, which included felonies.

The general district courts in the state of Virginia are responsible for handling civil cases that involve claims that are less than $4,500. The criminal cases that are handled by the general district courts in this state include traffic violations, preliminary hearings and ordinance violations.

The juvenile and domestic relations courts in Virginia have limited jurisdiction over specific criminal and civil cases. The cases that are heard by the juvenile and domestic relations courts of Virginia include those that involve parental rights and other issues concerning minors.

Finding the specific records that you need may take a great deal of time and can be a somewhat frustrating process as you find yourself sifting through thousands of Virginia court records. However, now that you know a little more about the court system in the state, you have a better chance of knowing where to go to find the information that you seek.

Obtaining Virginia Court Records

The administrative functions of the Virginia Judicial System are provided by the Virginia Court Administration, which maintains information such as judicial services, judicial planning and much more. Virginia court records that can be accessed through the office of the Executive Secretary include information from the circuit courts, the general district courts, the magistrate courts, the juvenile and domestic relations courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

If you are interested in accessing Virginia court records, you can do so by visiting the Virginia Court Administration's Case Status and Information page. This webpage provides the records for some of the cases that are heard in some of the courts of the state.

You can search for the Virginia court records that you need by using the name and location of the court that heard the case in question, or by using the name and case number associated with that particular case record.

• Virginia General Assembly

• Virginia State Court Districts