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Courts' Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus
Notice Regarding Face Coverings, Remote Hearings and COVID-19 Screenings
All persons who are not fully vaccinated pursuant to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering Chesterfield Courthouses. Any person who desires to wear a face covering may do so. No person will be asked about their vaccination status.
The Sheriff’s Office will verbally screen all individuals entering the courthouse for COVID-19 illness symptoms.
If anyone is turned away due to screening results who is also a participant in a hearing, the Sheriff’s Office will immediately advise the presiding judge. Such persons may still participate in a scheduled hearing by remote technologies from outside the courthouse at the discretion of the presiding judge.
The Court can conduct remote hearings as appropriate. Please visit the Remote Appearances webpage for complete information and view the Motion for Remote Hearing Form (PDF).
Please note: A presiding judge may adjust any of these provisions as deemed necessary.
Courts’ Response to COVID-19
View the Declaration of Judicial Emergency ordered by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Current Information Regarding Court Operations and Public Services
- Circuit Court Order (PDF), effective Thursday, July 1, 2021.
- Updated J&DR Public Notice (PDF), published Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
- General District Court Order (PDF), entered Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
- Motion for Remote Hearing (PDF), published Thursday, April 16, 2020. (Form for use in Chesterfield Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.)
Chesterfield Courts
The most important information we can share is that all of us should practice good personal hygiene, including proper hand washing and cough etiquette. Please use good judgment when visiting the courthouses and stay home if you are sick. The Courts continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for updates.
The Judicial Branch has a Pandemic COOP Plan and the Chesterfield Courts have their own individual plans that will be activated, if necessary. Here are updates that all three Courts would like to share with our stakeholders:
All Courts:
- Online prepayments of traffic cases (where appropriate) and online payments of all fines and costs are strongly encouraged
- Inmates: Hearings will be held via videoconferencing as deemed appropriate
- Travelers from a Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice Country: Notify the Court immediately if you are summoned, via phone or email; your case will be continued. Do not come in person.
- Illness: If you are sick, notify the Court immediately if you are summoned, via phone or email; your case may be continued. Do not come in person.
Circuit Court
- For more information, email Circuit Court Clerk.
General District Court
- For more information, email Linda Moore.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
- For more information, email Laura Griffin.
Past COVID-19 Press Releases Regarding Court Operations & Public Services
- Courts’ Joint Press Release (PDF), issued Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 6 p.m.
- Courts’ Joint Press Release (PDF), issued Monday, March 16, 2020, at 5:15 p.m.
- Circuit Court Clerk’s Press Release (PDF), issued Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 5:15 p.m.
- General District Court for the County of Chesterfield Public Notice (PDF), issued Sunday, March 22, 2020.
- Circuit Court Clerk’s Press Release (PDF), issued Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 4 p.m.
- General District Court’s Public Notice (PDF), updated Monday, March 30, 2020.
- Circuit Court Clerk’s Service Delivery Plan (PDF), updated Monday, March 30, 2020.
- Circuit Court’s Supplement, published Thursday, April 16, 2020.
- General District Court’s AV Notice (PDF), published Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
- Courts’ Joint Press Release (PDF), issued Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 5:57 p.m.
- Updated Circuit Court Clerk’s Service Delivery Plan, published Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
- Updated Circuit Court Notice, published Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
- Updated Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Notice, published Friday, June 5, 2020.
- Updated J&DR Public Notice, published Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
- Updated Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Notice (PDF), published Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.
- Updated J&DR Public Notice (PDF), published Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021.
- Updated Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Notice (PDF), published Tuesday, April 13, 2021.