Newport News VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a limited liability company that is 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 in Newport News VA before the Circuit & District 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.

Newport News Circuit Court

Clerk Hon. Angela F. Reason Phone/Fax Phone: (757) 926-8561

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Land Records: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Payments: 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Address 2500 Washington Avenue Courthouse Building Newport News, VA 23607-4307

Judges

• Hon. Gary A. Mills, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Christopher R. Papile, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Bryant L. Sugg, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Tyneka L. D. Flythe, Chief Judge
• Hon. Matthew W. Hoffman

Terms of Court and General Information

• Criminal term begins, 2nd Monday monthly; Docket call 1:30 p.m.
• Felony cases trial dates initially set in District Court, thereafter at docket call 1:30 p.m. 1st day criminal term.
• Civil term begins, 2nd Mon., Jan., March, July, Sept., & Nov.
• Due to the mandatory Judicial Conference, May Term Day may be changed to the following Friday. Please contact the Clerk’s Office for further information. Grand Jury: 9:30 a.m., Courtroom No. 3; Criminal Docket Call: 1:30 p.m., Courtroom No. 3.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Criminal Term at 9:30 a.m.
• Praecipes must be filed.
• Court convenes 10:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are not utilized in divorce cases.
• If any Monday is a State holiday, docket call will be the following day.
• Scheduling orders are not mandatory, but pre-trial conferences are.
• Local rules can be found on the Internet at www.nngov.com/circuit-court
• Order to Meet and Confer must be completed and filed with the Court three days prior to each pendente lite hearing. Form Pendente Lite Order must be completed after each pendente lite hearing.
• Effective July 1, 2021, cover sheets are required for recordings.

Newport News VA General District Court

Three Divisions

Newport News General District Court has three divisions:

• Traffic Division
• Civil Division
• Criminal Division

Traffic Division

Clerk Ms Karen J. Routten Phone/Fax Phone: (757) 926-8876 Phone: (757) 926-8725 Phone: (757) 926-8726 Fax: (757) 926-7025

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 2500 Washington Avenue, 2nd Fl. Newport News, VA 23607-4307

Judges

• Hon. Matthew W. Hoffman, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge
• Hon. Charisse M. Mullen, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Robert G. Saunders, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Michael S. Stein, Presiding Judge

Court Schedule

Courtroom B
   Video Arraignments
   8:30 a.m., Mon. - Fri.
   Commonwealth Arraignments
   9:00 a.m., Mon.
   Commonwealth Trials
   9:30 a.m., Mon.
   City Officer Trials/Violations of Probation
   9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
     & 1:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
Courtroom C
   City Officer Trials/Violations of Probation
   8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,
     11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., Mon. & Fri.
   Commonwealth Arraignments
   9:00 a.m., Tues.
   Commonwealth Trials
   9:30 a.m., Tues.
   State Trooper Trials
   9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., Tues. & Thurs.

Continuance Policy

Continuance granted first time for good reason.

Criminal Division

Clerk Ms Danielle Nicole Trotman Phone/Fax Phone: (757) 926-8811 Fax: (757) 926-7026

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 2500 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor Newport News, VA 23607-4307

Judges

• Hon. Michael S. Stein, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge
• Hon. Charisse M. Mullen, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Robert G. Saunders, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Rian Elizabeth Lewis

Court Schedule

Courtroom A

   Bond Hearings
   8:30 a.m., Mon. - Fri.

   Video Arraignments
   City Trials
   Non-Commonwealth Trials (Midnight Officers)
   Misdemeanor Drug Arraignments
   Misdemeanor Drug Trials
   Commonwealth Arraignments (Non-Video)
   9:00 a.m., Mon.-Fri.

   Commonwealth Trials
   Preliminary Hearings
   10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m., Mon.-Fri.

   Non-Commonwealth Arriangments
   Non-Commonwealth Trials
   1:00 p.m., Mon.-Thu.

   City Attorney Trials
   1:00 p.m., 4th Wed. of each month

Continuance Policy

Continuance granted first time for good reason.

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4/9/2022 | Updated 5/21/2024