Winchester 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 Winchester VA Courts. Our Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rated attorneys in Winchester 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 Winchester VA Attorneys Representing Clients Before The Courts

The Winchester 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 Winchester judges preside over a variety of cases all unique to the jurisdiction of their particular court. The Winchester 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 Winchester Circuit Court. The Winchester General District Court hears the most cases due its traffic violation jurisdiction.

Winchester VA General District Court Lawyers

Winchester 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

Winchester 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

Winchester GDC Court Schedule

Mondays
State Police Non-Felony Returns - AM
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
County & Town 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
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
Winchester 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. County/Winchester Felonies & Magistrate Issued Arraignments
11:15 a.m. Bond Hearings
2:15 p.m. Bond Reduction Motions
1st Friday
County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
2nd Friday
County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
3rd Friday
Winchester City Police & Sheriff Non-Felony Arraignments - AM
1:00 p.m. ASAP Non-Compliance & Restitution Reviews
4th Friday
County Special Patrol Docket - All Day
5th Friday
County Trials & Preliminary Hearings - All Day
Winchester City Police & Sheriff Non-Felony Arraignments - All Day

Winchester GDC Continuance Policy

Winchester VA Circuit Court Lawyers

Winchester Circuit Clerk Hon. William D. Gardner Phone/Fax Phone (540) 667-5770 Fax (540) 667-6638

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

Winchester 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 Winchester Circuit Court and General Information

• Term begins the 3rd Tuesday in January, April, July, and October unless changed by Court order. Grand Jury meets every month on the 3rd Tuesday of each month unless changed by Court order. Check our website for Court calendar and changes to the calendar.
• Civil Motions Day is on the fourth Monday of each month. Check Court calendar on our website for changes. To have matter placed on Civil Motions Day docket, a praecipe must be filed not less than 7 days preceding the Motion Day.
• Misdemeanor Appeals Day is the Friday after Civil Motions Day, Check Court calendar on our website for changes.
• Court has a Probation day each month. Check Court calendar on our website for Probation Day.
• Court convenes at 9:00 AM.
• Local Rules adopted pursuant to Section 8.01-4

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10/11/2025