Wise County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers

(804) 673-7111

E-mail | Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound & St. Paul

Free Case Evaluation by a Top Rated Wise County Lawyer

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..

Experienced Wise County VA Criminal Traffic Lawyers

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law, PLLC, is a limited liability company that is registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our attorneys in Wise County Virginia are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We routinely represents clients in Wise VA before the Wise County 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 Wise County VA Attorneys Representing Clients In The Courts

The Wise County Courts are part of Virginia’s 30th 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 Wise judges preside over a variety of cases all unique to the jurisdiction of their particular court. The Wise 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 Wise Circuit Court. The Wise General District Court hears the most cases due its traffic violation jurisdiction.

Wise County VA General District Court Lawyers

GDC Clerk Sherry L. Bishop Phone/Fax Phone (276) 328-3426 Fax (276) 328-4576

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 206 East Main Street Wise, VA 24293

GDC Judges

• Hon. Shawn L Hines, Chief Judge
• Hon. Andrew L. Johnson

GDC Court Schedule

Civil
1st, 2nd & 3rd Thurs., 9:30 a.m., Segmented
Small Claims
2nd & 3rd Thurs., 1:00 p.m.
Criminal
4th Tues. (except 5th Tues.), 9:30 a.m., Segmented
Wise Co. Deputies
1st, 2nd, & 3rd Tues., Segmented
Traffic
Mon. (except 5th Mon.), 9:30 a.m., Segmented
Town or Local Ordinances
Big Stone Gap
4th Wed., 9:30 a.m., & 1:00 p.m., Segmented
Coeburn
2nd Wed., 9:30 a.m., Segmented
Pound
1st Wed., 1:00 p.m.
St. Paul
1st Mon., 9:30 a.m.
Wise
1st Wed., 9:30 a.m., Segmented
Norton
1st Mon., 1:00 p.m., Segmented
Arraignments
Mon. - Thurs., 8:30 a.m.
Inmate Arraignments
Mon. - Thurs., 8:45 a.m.
Bad Check Cases
1st Thurs., Segmented
Garnishments
2nd & 3rd Thurs., 1:00 p.m.
Show Causes
2nd Thurs., 1:00 p.m.

GDC Court Continuance Policy

Continuances governed by Rule 8:14.

Wise County Circuit Court Lawyers

Circuit Clerk Hon. Dezarah J Hall Phone Phone (276) 328-6111

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Address 206 East Main Street Wise, VA 24293

Circuit Judges

• Hon. Ronald Kelley Elkins, Chief Judge
• Hon. Thomas W. Baker
• Hon. John C. Kilgore, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Tammy S. McElyea

Terms of Wise Circuit Court and General Information

• Terms begin, 1st Tues. after 3rd Mon. in Jan.; 3rd Monday, Apr., July, Oct.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term, recalled once during the term.
• Civil cases set by praecipe; criminal cases set in conference two weeks prior to beginning of Term.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in general chancery causes, except divorce.
• Local rules adopted pursuant to Section 8.01-4

We can help! Let us review YOUR case!

8/7/2025