Albemarle County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers

(434) 637-8559

E-mail

Free Case Evaluation by a Top Rated Albemarle VA Lawyer

Please submit your contact information along with the relevant details of your case using the below form. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. Our normal office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Experienced Albemarle County VA Criminal & Traffic Attorneys

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law, PLLC, is a limited liability company that is registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our attorneys in Albemarle County Virginia are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We routinely represents clients before the Albemarle County Courts. Charlottesville is the county seat of Albemarle County. Our law firm is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a “Best Law Firm” according to U.S. News and World Reports for the highest level of professional excellence in legal ability and ethical standards. The Martindale-Hubbell and Best Lawyers publications are distinguished, established organizations that publish reliable information regarding lawyers and law firms.

Top Albemarle County VA Attorneys Representing Clients Before The Courts

The Albemarle Courts serves as part of Virginia’s 16th Judicial District. These courts consist of a Circuit Court, a General District Court & a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. These are all trial courts. Each Court has its own Judges and its own specific jurisdiction. The Albemarle judges preside over a variety of cases all unique to the jurisdiction of their particular court. The Albemarle Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers and also hears cases appealed from the district courts. The right to trial by Jury is only in the Albemarle Circuit Court. The Albemarle General District Court hears the most cases due its traffic violation jurisdiction.

Albemarle County VA General District Court Lawyers

GDC Clerk Ms Leola McKenzie Coles Morse Phone/Fax Phone: (434) 972-4004 email: albemarlegd@vacourts.gov Civil:434-972-4007 Fax: (434) 972-4092

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 501 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 138 Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110

GDC Judges

• Hon. Matthew J. Quatrara, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Claiborne H. Stokes Jr., Chief Judge
• Hon. Theresa W. Carter
• Hon. Kenneth Andrew Sneathern

GDC Court Schedule

Albemarle County VA Lawyers Civil Docket
   Docket Call, Thurs., 1:00 p.m. Warrant in Debts
   2pm Unlawful Detainers (This includes all landlord disputes)
   3pm Warrant in Detinues, Interrogatories, SC, Capias, Exemption 
   & Motion Hearings
   Contested Civil
   Mon., Wed. & Fri
     1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
   Small Claims
   3rd Wed., 10:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Criminal
   Advisements (Criminal & Traffic)
   Mon. - Fri., 9:00 a.m.
   Wed., 10:00 a.m.
   Misdemeanors
   Tues., 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
   Felony Docket (Criminal & Traffic)
   Thurs., Preliminary Hearings, 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Albemarle County VA Traffic Lawyers
   Mon. & Fri., 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
   Tues. 1:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
   3rd Tues., OAR
   4th Tues., VASAP
   Protective Orders
   Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri., 11:00 a.m.
   Wed., 10:00 a.m.

For questions relating to Unlawful Detainers CARES act please visit 
the following link:
https://www.stayhomevirginia.com/

GDC Continuance Policy

Traffic first continuance granted by Deputy Clerks; subsequent continuance granted requested from Judge or Clerk; Misdemeanors traffic & criminal continuances requested from Judge or Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Albemarle County Circuit Court Lawyers

Circuit Clerk Hon. Jon R. Zug Phone/Fax Phone: (434) 972-4083 Criminal Division: (434) 972-4085 Civil Division: 434-972-4086 Fax: (434) 293-0298

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address Albemarle County Courthouse Court Square 501 East Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110

Circuit Judges

• Hon. Cheryl V. Higgins, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Claude V. Worrell II, Chief Judge
• Hon. David M Barredo
• Hon. Dale B. Durrer
• Hon. David B. Franzen
• Hon. Timothy K. Sanner

Terms of Albemarle Circuit Court and General Information

• Criminal Terms begin, 1st Monday, Feb., Apr., June, Aug., Oct., & Dec.
• Civil Terms begin, last Thursday of each month except Nov. and Dec. which is the 3rd Thursday.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
• All criminal cases set on Term Day.
• Court has adopted procedures of Rule 1:20 (a) and (e) for scheduling civil cases for trial, and either civil cases set by praecipe received through Wednesday preceding docket call on last Thursday of each month, or upon agreement of counsel with approval of court.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in some contested chancery causes.
• https://www.albemarle.org/government/circuit-court-clerk-s-office

We can help! Let us review YOUR case!

7/23/2024 | Updated 8/24/2025