Fairfax County General District Court
The Fairfax County General District Court hears many traffic and criminal cases in Fairfax County, including reckless driving, speeding tickets, DUI / DWI, misdemeanor criminal charges, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. If you have been summoned to appear in Fairfax General District Court, it is important to confirm the courthouse listed on your summons and understand what may happen when your case is called.
Fairfax General District Court Guide
Quick Reference: Fairfax County Court Logistics
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Courthouse | Fairfax County Courthouse |
| Address | 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 |
| Public Parking | Garage B – 10550 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030 |
| Parking Cost | $2.50 per hour, with a $12.50 daily maximum |
| Clerk’s Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Traffic Division | 703-246-2815 |
| Criminal Division | 703-246-3305 |
The Fairfax County Courthouse is a busy courthouse complex. Allow enough time to park, walk from the parking garage, pass through courthouse security, and locate the correct courtroom before your scheduled court time.
Which Fairfax General District Court Location Is on My Summons?
Not every Fairfax-area traffic or misdemeanor case is heard at the main Fairfax County Courthouse. Fairfax County General District Court judges also hear certain cases in the Towns of Vienna and Herndon, and General District Court judges hear cases in the City of Fairfax.
Fairfax County Courthouse
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
City of Fairfax Court
10455 Armstrong Street, Room 1
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-385-7866
Clerk’s Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Town of Vienna Court
127 Center Street South
Vienna, VA 22180
Town of Herndon Court
765 Lynn Street
Herndon, VA 22070
The Vienna and Herndon courts hear traffic, misdemeanor, and infraction cases arising within those towns and are staffed by clerks from the Fairfax County General District Court. The City of Fairfax Court has separate clerical staff and handles its own filings and payments.
Always check the summons or other court paperwork before traveling to court. The courthouse listed on the summons controls where the case is scheduled to be heard.
What Cases Are Heard in Fairfax County General District Court?
Virginia General District Courts hear traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal cases. They also conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases. Fairfax General District Court therefore handles a large number of cases involving drivers and criminal defendants.
Common cases include:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding tickets and other traffic offenses
- DUI / DWI
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Hit and run and other traffic-related criminal charges
- Assault and battery
- Petit larceny and shoplifting
- Trespassing and disorderly conduct
- Other misdemeanor criminal charges
- Preliminary hearings involving felony charges
The General District Court does not conduct jury trials. Traffic and misdemeanor trials in this court are heard by a judge.
What Happens in a Fairfax Traffic or Criminal Case?
The exact procedure depends on the charge and the stage of the case. In many traffic and misdemeanor cases, the scheduled court date may be the date on which the case can be tried. Other criminal cases may involve an arraignment, motions, a continuance, or another proceeding before a trial or preliminary hearing.
When a contested case is heard, the Commonwealth or charging officer may present testimony and other evidence. The defense may challenge the prosecution’s evidence, cross-examine witnesses, present evidence when appropriate, and raise legal defenses.
The judge determines the facts and applies Virginia law. Because General District Court is a court not of record, there is no jury trial at this level.
A person with a pending case should not assume that every Fairfax General District Court case follows the same procedure. The nature of the charge, whether counsel has been retained, the evidence, and other circumstances can affect how the case proceeds.
Fairfax Traffic Court, Reckless Driving and Speeding Cases
Fairfax General District Court hears thousands of traffic matters arising on heavily traveled Fairfax County roads and highways, including I-66, I-495, Route 50, Route 29, Route 123, Fairfax County Parkway, and other roads throughout the county.
A traffic summons may involve a simple traffic infraction, but some driving offenses are criminal charges under Virginia law.
For example, reckless driving is a criminal offense rather than an ordinary traffic infraction. Depending on the particular charge and facts, issues in a reckless driving or traffic case may include:
- The alleged speed and applicable speed limit
- Radar, lidar, or other speed-measurement evidence
- Calibration and testing requirements
- The officer’s observations
- The driver’s Virginia or out-of-state driving record
- Whether the charge requires the defendant to personally appear
- Whether a reduction or other disposition may be available
Drivers charged with speeding can learn more on our Fairfax speeding ticket page, while broader traffic-defense information is available on our Fairfax traffic lawyer page.
DUI / DWI Cases in Fairfax County General District Court
Most misdemeanor Fairfax DUI / DWI cases are prosecuted in the Fairfax County General District Court. A DUI case may involve issues concerning the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, preliminary breath testing, breath or blood evidence, statements, video evidence, and whether the Commonwealth can prove each required element of the offense.
A DUI conviction can also involve driver’s-license consequences, ignition-interlock requirements, Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program requirements, fines, and possible incarceration depending on the circumstances of the case.
Because DUI is a criminal charge, a person charged with DUI should not treat the summons like an ordinary prepaid traffic ticket.
Misdemeanor Criminal Cases and Felony Preliminary Hearings
The Fairfax County General District Court conducts trials for many adult misdemeanor criminal offenses. It also plays an important role in felony cases.
A felony charge may begin in General District Court even though a felony trial ultimately belongs in the Fairfax County Circuit Court. In many felony cases, the General District Court conducts a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause.
If probable cause is found, the charge may be certified to a grand jury for further proceedings in Circuit Court. The procedural path can vary depending on the charge, waiver of a preliminary hearing, indictment, plea negotiations, and other circumstances.
For additional information about criminal representation, see our Fairfax criminal lawyer page.
Do I Have to Appear in Fairfax General District Court?
Whether a defendant must personally appear depends on the type of case and the court’s requirements.
Some traffic infractions may be eligible for prepayment. Criminal charges, including DUI and reckless driving, are treated differently and ordinarily require a court appearance. Other circumstances may affect whether counsel can appear on behalf of a defendant.
Do not assume that you can miss court simply because the charge involves driving. Review the summons carefully and, if there is any uncertainty, confirm the appearance requirement before the scheduled court date.
What Happens After a Fairfax General District Court Conviction?
Virginia law provides a right to appeal a district-court conviction for a non-felony offense to the Circuit Court within 10 days of the conviction.
An appeal is heard de novo, meaning the case is heard again in Circuit Court rather than reviewed only for legal error. The Circuit Court proceeding replaces the General District Court judgment if the appeal goes forward.
Because the time for noting an appeal is short, a defendant considering an appeal should address that decision promptly.
Arriving at the Fairfax County Courthouse
Visitors entering the Fairfax County Courthouse must pass through security screening. Weapons and other prohibited items should not be brought into the building.
Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones are permitted in courthouse common areas. However, they generally may not be used inside a courtroom unless the presiding judge expressly authorizes their use. Photography, video recording, audio recording, and transmission from inside the courthouse are prohibited without court authorization.
After entering the courthouse, check the courthouse monitors or available docket information to locate the assigned courtroom. Arriving early provides additional time to deal with parking, security screening, and locating the courtroom.
Common Questions About Fairfax General District Court
What types of criminal cases does Fairfax General District Court hear?
The court hears adult misdemeanor criminal cases and conducts preliminary hearings in many felony cases. Felony trials are handled in Fairfax County Circuit Court.
Are reckless driving and DUI cases heard in Fairfax General District Court?
Yes. Fairfax General District Court hears misdemeanor reckless driving and DUI / DWI charges, as well as many other traffic and criminal offenses.
Can I have a jury trial in Fairfax General District Court?
No. General District Court trials are heard by a judge. Jury trials are conducted in Circuit Court where a jury trial is legally available.
Do I have to appear for a Fairfax traffic ticket?
It depends on the charge. Some traffic infractions may be eligible for prepayment, while criminal traffic charges such as DUI and reckless driving ordinarily require an appearance. The summons and the court’s requirements should be reviewed carefully.
Can I bring my cell phone into the Fairfax County Courthouse?
Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones are currently permitted in courthouse common areas, but they generally may not be used in a courtroom unless the judge expressly authorizes their use. Photography, audio recording, and video recording are prohibited without authorization.
Can I appeal a Fairfax General District Court conviction?
A person convicted in district court of a non-felony offense generally has 10 days from the conviction to appeal to Circuit Court. The appeal is heard de novo, meaning the case is heard again in Circuit Court.
Fairfax County Court Pages
- Fairfax County Courts
- Fairfax County Circuit Court
- Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Defense Services
- Fairfax Criminal Lawyer
- Fairfax DUI / DWI Lawyer
- Fairfax Reckless Driving Lawyers
- Fairfax Traffic Lawyer
- Fairfax Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Defense Representation in Fairfax County
Our attorneys represent clients charged with traffic and criminal offenses in Fairfax County. If your case is pending in the Fairfax County General District Court, our attorneys can review the charge, explain the court process, evaluate the evidence, and discuss possible defenses and outcomes. If you would like to discuss your situation, you can contact our attorneys for a confidential consultation.
3/15/2026 | Updated 9/13/2026