Powhatan County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers 

Experienced Powhatan County VA Criminal & Traffic Attorneys

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

Top Powhatan County Attorneys Representing Clients In The Courts

The Powhatan County Virginia Courts serve as part of Virginia’s 11th 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 Powhatan County judges preside over a variety of cases all unique to the jurisdiction of their particular court. The Powhatan County 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 Powhatan County Circuit Court. The Powhatan County General District Court hears the most cases due its traffic violation jurisdiction.

Powhatan County VA Circuit Court Lawyers

Circuit Clerk Hon. Teresa Hash Dobbins email: tdobbins@vacourts.gov Phone/Fax Phone: (804) 598-5660 Fax: (804) 598-5608

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Address 3880 Old Buckingham Road Suite C Powhatan, VA 23139-0037 Recording Times: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily

Circuit Judges

• Hon. Joseph M. Teefey Jr., Chief Judge
• Hon. Paul W. Cella
• Hon. Dennis M. Martin

Terms of Powhatan Circuit Court and General Information

• Court convenes at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., unless otherwise notified
• Term Days: 2nd Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October & December at 10:00 a.m.
• Criminal bench days: 1st Monday; 2nd Friday; 4th Thursday each month & 2nd Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September and November.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
• Civil cases, hearings in civil cases, set through the Court Administrator, Terri Driskill (804) 431-5602 or tdriskill@vacourts.gov.
• Certified copies of orders are mailed, via US mail, to counsel/moving litigants. Certified copies of orders are mailed to all other parties upon request or as directed by a Court order. Counsel/litigants shall provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• Commissioners in Chancery are used in general chancery causes.
• Cover Sheets are REQUIRED for all Civil and Land Recordings.

Powhatan General District and Juvenile Domestic Relations Court Lawyers

Combined Clerk Mr Lamar Maurice Crockett Phone/Fax Phone: (804) 598-5665 Fax: (804) 598-5648

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 3880-D Old Buckingham Road Courthouse Powhatan, VA 23139-7052

General District Judges

• Hon. Thomas Stark IV, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Ray P. Lupold III, Chief Judge
• Hon. Kenneth A. Blalock

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judges

• Hon. Theresa J. Royall, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Phillip T. DiStanislao, Chief Judge
• Hon. Cheryl J. Wilson

District Court Schedule

General District Court
   Thursday - Troopers Only
     9:00 a.m. - Regular Traffic
     10:00 a.m. - Arraignments
     10:30 a.m. - Trials (criminal and serious traffic)
     1:00 p.m -  Civil
     2:00 p.m. - Contested Civil or Criminal
   Friday - Deputies Only
     9:00 a.m. - Regular Traffic
     10:00 a.m. - Arraignments
     10:30 a.m. - Trials (criminal and serious traffic)

Juvenile & Domestic Relations
   Tuesday
     9:00 a.m., Arraignments
     Contested Civil Matters, set by the Court
   Wednesday
     9:00 a.m., Criminal Arraignments
     9:30 a.m., Criminal Trials
     11:00 a.m., Juvenile Traffic
     1:00 p.m., Domestic Civil
   3rd Wed., 1:00 p.m., Division of Child Support Enforcement

District Court Continuance Policy

Continuances governed by Rule 8:14. Clerk may grant continuance consented to by all parties (Rule 8:14(a)).

4/21/2023 | Updated 8/11/2025