Frederick County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a limited liability company registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our attorneys are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We represent clients every week before the Frederick County VA Courts. Our Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rated attorneys in Frederick County Virginia are also 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 Frederick VA Attorneys Representing Clients Before The Courts

The Frederick Courts are part of Virginia’s 26th 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 Frederick judges preside over a variety of cases all unique to the jurisdiction of their particular court. The Frederick 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 Frederick Circuit Court. The Frederick General District Court hears the most cases due its traffic violation jurisdiction.

Frederick County VA General District Court Lawyers

GDC Clerk Tamara L. Heishman Phone/Fax Phone (540) 722-7208 Fax (540) 722-1063

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address Judicial Center 5 North Kent Street Winchester, VA 22601

Frederick GDC Judges

• Hon. Amy B. Tisinger, Chief Judge
• Hon. Kenneth L. Alger II
• Hon. Mary Louise Costello Daniel
• Hon. Louis K. Nagy
• Hon. Anne M. Williams

Frederick GDC Court Schedule

Mondays
State Police Non-Felony Returns - AM
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
Frederick County, Stephens City & Middletown Non-Felony Arraignments - PM
Winchester Police & Sheriff Non-Felony Arraignments - AM & PM
2:15 PM Bond Reduction Motions
Tuesdays
8:30 a.m. Advanced Plea Agreements & Other Frederick County Motions
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
Frederick County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
Wednesdays
8:30 a.m. Advanced Plea Agreement & Other Winchester City Motions
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
2:15 p.m. Bond Reduction Motions
City Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All day
Thursdays
8:30 a.m. Special Return Civil Docket
9:00 a.m. Local Attorneys - Civil Returns
9:45 a.m. General Public/Non-Attorney - Civil Returns
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
1:00 a.m. Out-of-Town Attorney - Civil Returns
Civil Trials as set by Judge - All Day
1st Thursday
9:00 a.m. Small Claims
Fridays
8:30 a.m. Frederick/City Felonies & Magistrate Issued Arraignments
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
2:15 p.m. Bond Reduction Motions
1st Friday
Frederick County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
2nd Friday
Frederick County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
3rd Friday
City Police & Sheriff Non-Felony Arraignments - AM
1:00 p.m. ASAP Non-Compliance & Restitution Reviews
4th Friday
Frederick County Special Patrol Docket - All Day
5th Friday
Frederick County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
City Police & Sheriff Non-Felony Arraignments - All Day

Frederick GDC Continuance Policy

Frederick County VA Circuit Court Lawyers

Frederick Circuit Clerk Hon. Sarah J Kahle Phone Phone (540) 667-5770

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Address 5 North Kent Street Winchester, VA 22601

Frederick Circuit Judges

• Hon. Kevin C. Black, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge
• Hon. Bruce D. Albertson
• Hon. Andrew S. Baugher
• Hon. Christopher E. Collins
• Hon. William W. Eldridge IV
• Hon. Daryl L. Funk, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Alexander R. Iden
• Hon. Clark Andrew Ritchie

Terms of Frederick Circuit Court and General Information

• Terms begin, Thursday after the 1st Monday, Jan., April, July, & Oct. A mini-term day is held each month, Thursday after the 1st Monday.
• Motion Day, 1st Wed. after the 1st Monday of each month.
• Misdemeanor appeal days, 3rd Wed. after 1st Mon. each month.
• Grand Juries, 1st Thursday after the 1st Monday of each month.
• Praecipes must be filed not less than 7 days preceding Motion Day.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in special instances.
• Local Rules adopted pursuant to Section 8.01-4.
• Faxes from attorneys and litigants will NOT be accepted without prior approval.
• Frederick County Circuit Court either hand deliver the orders to the litigants/attorneys or if they are not available we will mail copies within 2 days.

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8/14/2021 | Updated 10/10/2025