Virginia Traffic Court
What is Virginia Traffic Court?
Virginia’s Traffic Court is a colloquial term for traffic cases heard in General District Court (GDC) or Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) Court. Some jurisdictions such as Fairfax County have special courtrooms just for traffic cases, but theoretically any GDC or JDR court judge can hear a civil or misdemeanor traffic case.
Are All Va Traffic Court Cases Traffic Tickets?
No! You can be charged with a criminal offense and be summoned to appear in Traffic Court. Driver’s accused of the criminal offense of reckless driving often see the “traffic Court” box checked on their summons and mistakenly believe they are charged with just a traffic ticket. Many criminal charges are commonly heard in traffic court, DUI, hit and run, driving on a suspended license, and reckless driving are all common traffic crimes that are heard in Virginia traffic courts.
How Should I Dress in Virginia Traffic Court?
Business casual or better is recommended for traffic court. Members of the military should follow military rules regarding wearing their uniforms while on trial. Shorts, flip flops, spaghetti straps, revealing clothing, or clothes with crude messages on them are not appropriate. Some judges will ask you to leave if you try to wear them to court.
Cell Phones, Cameras, and Laptops in Traffic Court.
Most Virginia traffic courts will not allow cell phones, laptops, ipads, cameras, pagers, or anything that beeps, records, or takes photos. Check the court prior to bringing any of these items to court. Guns, knives (even small ones), pepper spray, mace ect. are illegal to bring into court. Most traffic courts in Va have metal detectors and security check points where bags are x-rayed and searched.
Luke J. Nichols
The law firm of Nichols & Green pllc
(703) 383-9222