Hanover County VA Attorneys for Criminal Law & Traffic Violation Defense

Free Hanover County VA Case Evaluation by Top Rated Attorney

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..

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a limited liability company registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our Hanover VA attorneys are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We represent clients every week before the Hanover County VA Courts. 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.

Hanover County VA Circuit Court

Clerk Hon. Frank D. Hargrove Jr. Phone/Fax Phone: (804) 365-6151 Fax: Civil Cases Fax – (804) 365-6278 Fax: Criminal Cases Fax – (804) 365-7148

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Address P. O. Box 39 7530 County Complex Road Hanover, VA 23069-0039 Email: hanovercc@vacourts.gov

Judges

• Hon. John Overton Harris, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Patricia Kelly, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Sarah L. Deneke, Chief Judge
• Hon. William E. Glover
• Hon. Herbert M. Hewitt
• Hon. Michael E. Levy
• Hon. Roy Michael McKenney
• Hon. Ricardo Rigual
• Hon. James Bruce Strickland
• Hon. Gordon F. Willis
• Hon. Victoria A. B. Willis

Terms of Court and General Information

• Terms begin, 3rd Tuesday, Jan., March, May, July, Sept., & Nov.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term and as otherwise called.
• Criminal cases set at preliminary hearing, when appealed or at the convening of a grand jury.
• Civil cases are set on a date convenient for all counsel and unrepresented parties by calling Judges’ Chambers at 804/365-6161, or by appearance on Term Day at 2:00 p.m. following the filing of a praecipe in the clerk’s office not later than 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to Term Day.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in partition suits.

Hanover County VA General District Court

Clerk Ms Cheryl Lynn DeVaughn Phone/Fax Traffic/Criminal: Phone: (804) 365-6191 Civil: (804) 365-6457 Fax: Traffic/Criminal: (804) 365-6290 Fax: Civil: (804) 365-6436

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Payments taken Mon-Fri 8 AM to 3:45 PM Civil Filings are taken Mon-Fri 8AM to 3:30 PM Payment Plans & new civil filings: M-F 8AM-3:30PM Address P. O. Box 176 District Courts Building 7530 County Complex Rd 1st Floor Hanover, VA 23069-0176 Effective September 9, 2019, all new filings (except Unlawful Detainers and Garnishments) for Hanover General District Court must have a return date of 50-60 days from the day the filing is sent to the Court.

Judges

• Hon. Hugh S. Campbell, Presiding Judge
• Hon. John S. Martin, Chief Judge
• Hon. David B. Caddell Jr.
• Hon. Richard T. McGrath
• Hon. Angela M. O’Connor
• Hon. Robert Eric Reibach
• Hon. Jane M. Reynolds

Court Schedule

Mondays
   8:15 a.m. - Arraignments
   8:30 a.m.-  Civil Garnishments (Courtroom 2)
   9:00 a.m. - Civil First Returns
   10:30 a.m.,1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Civil Trials
   2nd and 4th Mondays: 10:30 a.m. - Civil Small Claims

Tuesdays
   8:15 a.m. - Arraignments
   8:30 a.m. - Traffic/Criminal Motions
   3rd, 4th, 5th Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. - Civil First Returns
   9:00 a.m. - Criminal Trials
   10:30 a.m. - Traffic Violations
   1:30 p.m. - Criminal Trials: courtroom 1
   3rd, 4th, 5th Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Civil Trials 
   (Courtroom 2)

Wednesdays
   8:15 a.m. - Arraignments
   8:30 a.m. - Traffic/Criminal Motions
   9:00 a.m. - Criminal Trials
   10:30 a.m. - Traffic Violations
   1:30 p.m. - ASAP Violations & CCP Violations
   4th Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. - Environmental Violations

Thursdays
   8:15 a.m. - Arraignments
   8:30 a.m. - Traffic/Criminal Motions
   9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. - Criminal Trials
   9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. - State Trooper Traffic Violations
   10:30 a.m. - Hanover/Ashland Traffic Violations
   1st & 3rd Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. - Animal Control Violations
   2nd & 4th Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. - 
   Game/Forestry/Zoning/Fire/Building Violations

Fridays
   8:15 a.m. - Arraignments
   8:30 a.m. - Traffic/Criminal Motions
   9:00 a.m. - Criminal Trials
   10:30 a.m. - Traffic Violations

Please call the Clerk's office to schedule motions for a civil 
case.

Continuance Policy

Civil First Returns can only be continued in writing by agreement of all parties. Civil Trials can only be continued in court. Criminal cases can only be continued in advance in writing by agreement with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. 804-365-6185. Full continuance policy can be found on the Hanover General District home page or on file in the Clerk’s office.

Hanover County VA Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Clerk Ms Susan S. Wood Phone/Fax Phone: (804) 365-6200 Fax: (804) 365-6246

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address P. O. Box 86 7530 County Complex Road Hanover, VA 23069-0086

Judges

• Hon. Shannon O. Hoehl, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Georgia K. Sutton, Chief Judge
• Hon. John E. Franklin
• Hon. Julian W. Johnson
• Hon. Marcel D. Jones
• Hon. William L. Lewis
• Hon. Andrea M. Stewart
• Hon. Frank G Uvanni
• Hon. Joseph A. Vance IV

Court Schedule

Monday
   Morning - Custody/Visitation/Support - Docket Call
   Afternoon - Custody/Visitation/Support - Contested
Tuesday
   Custody/Visitation/Support - Contested
Wednesday
   9:00 a.m., Arraignments
   10:00 a.m., Foster Care/CHINS
   Afternoon, Custody/Visitation/Support - Contested
Thursday
   Juvenile traffic (8:30 a.m.)
   Juvenile Delinquency
   Adult Criminal
Friday
   1st & 3rd, DCSE
   2nd & 4th, Juvenile Delinquency and Adult Criminal

Continuance Policy

Criminal and traffic cases must be submitted to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for approval. Civil cases need the signatures of all parties involved. All continuance requests must be approved by the Judge.

11/5/2015 | Updated 12/5/2023