General District Court

Overview

The General District Court's Procedures, previously published as a single consolidated document, are being transitioned to existing as pages on this website. This page will act as a "Table of Contents" of all of the procedures we have published.

These procedures are subject to change in response to legislative changes or other situations that require it. The authoritative version of the procedures will always be considered what is live online. 

Procedures Categories

General Policies & Procedures| Civil and Small Claims Case Procedures | Criminal Case Procedures | Traffic Case Procedures | Court Forms

General Policies & Procedures

The procedures listed here are common to the operation of all divisions of the Court.

• Attorney of Record Policy
• Email and Fax Policy
• Foreign Counsel
• Inmate Hearing Procedure
• Records Retention Policy
• Remote Hearing Policy

Civil and Small Claims Case Procedures

The procedures below generally apply to both Civil and Small Claims cases.  In some instances, the policy differs slightly depending on the type of case - each page will list those differences where needed.

Please note the following procedures:

• Filing a Civil Action - The "Before you File" section details the procedure to reserve a court date and time that must be followed.
• Procedure for Unlawful Entry and Detainer Cases
• Protective Orders
• Statement in Lieu of Notarization

The rest of the Court's Civil procedures follow:

• Appeals - Civil Cases
• Assignment of Judgment
• Bankruptcy Dismissals
• Checking for Service Returns
• Contested Cases
• Continuances
• Copy Requests
• Dismissal and Non-Suit of Pending Civil Cases
• Filing a Civil Action
  • Includes procedures and guidelines for filing a Civil or Small Claims action, as well as an explanation of the jurisdictions of each.
• Filing Forms and Fees
• Judgment on the Affidavit & Vacated Judgments
• Limitation on Number of Cases
• Long Trials
• Mediation
• Motions and Demurrers
• Protective Orders
• Representation
• Requests for Attorney's Fees and Interest
• Satisfactions of Judgment
• Service of Process
• Show Cause and Capias
• Transfer of Jurisdiction

Criminal Case Procedures

• Appeals - Criminal Cases
• Continuances - Criminal Cases
• Copy Requests
• Motions
• Discovery Orders
• Restricted Licenses - Drug Violations and Underage Alcohol Possession
• Missed Court Date
  • Describes options available to you if you have missed your traffic court date.
• Payment of Court Fines and Cost
  • Payment Plans for Court Fines and Costs
  • Fines Options Program
• Transportation Order Request Timeline

Traffic Case Procedures

• Appeals - Traffic Cases
• Continuances - Traffic Cases
• Copy Requests
• Discovery Orders
• Motions
• Letter to Judge/Proof of Compliance
• Missed Court Date
  • Describes options available to you if you have missed your traffic court date.
• Parking Tickets
• Preliminary Hearing Continuance Policy
• Restricted Licenses - Reckless Driving/DWI Charges
• Requesting a Trial in an Accident Case
• Payment of Court Fines and Cost
  • Payment Plans for Court Fines and Costs
  • Fines Options Program
• Transportation Order Request Timeline

Court Forms

Listed below are the local forms developed by the Fairfax County General District Court.  Statewide forms (DC-XXX forms) are available via the state's forms page, located here.

• Appearance of Counsel
  • For Criminal and Traffic Cases
  • For Civil Cases
• Bed to Bed Order
  • Example Bed to Bed Order
• Bond Reduction Motion Form
• Civil Motion Form
• Civil Request for Court Action
• Continuance Request Form
  • For Criminal Cases
  • For Traffic Cases
• Credit Card Payment Form
• Discovery Order
  • With Commonwealth Attorney
  • Without Commonwealth Attorney
• Unlawful Detainer Disposition
  • Unlawful Detainer Disposition Instructions