There are three separate courts serving Prince William County which are housed in the Judicial Center. The Circuit Court, the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Circuit Court case numbers begin with a "C". General District Court case numbers begin with a "G". Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court case numbers begin with a "J".
moreThe 31st Judicial Circuit Court has general trial court jurisdiction, including acting as an appellate court for the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, and is a separate and distinct branch of government. The Circuit Court decides the most serious cases, presiding over criminal, civil, concealed handgun permits, miscellaneous, and other cases. The 31st Judicial Circuit currently has six full-time judges.
The General District Court handles traffic violations, hears minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors, and conducts preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies. The Court has exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and shares authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000. Examples of civil cases are landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury actions.
The Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court (JDRC) hears all matters involving juveniles such as criminal or traffic matters. Juvenile delinquency cases involve a minor under the age of 18 who has been accused of committing an offense that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult. Status offenses are those acts that are unlawful only because they are committed by a minor. This court also handles other matters involving the family such as custody, support, and visitation. The court hears family abuse cases, cases where adults have been accused of child abuse or neglect and criminal cases where the defendant and alleged victim are family or household members.