Courts

The Fauquier County court system handles cases of all types, ranging from minor traffic offenses to divorce to murder.

The courts are located in Old Town Warrenton, within walking distance of each other. They are served by the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office and other agencies such as Probation and Parole and Adult Court Services.

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court deals with all felony cases, civil cases exceeding $15,000 in value, as well as all appeals from the other courts. In this court, cases ranging from divorce to murder are heard by presiding Judge Jeffrey W. Parker.

Fauquier County is part of Virginia's 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes Rappahannock and Loudoun counties.

The Circuit Court is also the location of the Clerk of Court, an elected official. Gail H. Barb is the current clerk. She acts as Registrar of Deeds to record land records, as Court Administrator to docket court cases, and as probate clerk to record wills.

The Clerk of Court is the one to see for a marriage license. The clerk's office is also an authorized acceptance facility for U.S. passports. An application for a permit to carry a concealed handgun is processed through the Clerk's Office. Persons wishing to become a notary public for the Commonwealth of Virginia may obtain their applications from the Clerk of Circuit Court.

Judges on the bench in the 20th Judicial Court, along with Parker, are Thomas D. Horne, James H. Chamblin and Burke F. McCahill, who are all seated in Loudoun County. Retired judges may also preside as needed.

The Circuit Court has the authority to call together grand juries, and does so on the last Monday of every other month. Grand juries meet to consider whether there is enough probable cause to hold the accused to stand trial.

In addition, the Circuit Court judge has the authority to make appointments to certain county boards and to appoint church trustees.
Call (540) 422-8093.

General District Court

Traffic cases, criminal cases and some civil suits are the primary focus of the General District Court.

This court is located in the historic old courthouse building on Main Street in Old Town Warrenton.

This is the court with which most people have contact, since everything from traffic cases to preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases begin here.

The General District Court can hear civil cases with claims of less than $3,000, and shares authority with the Circuit Court to hear cases with claims between $3,000 and $15,000. These cases are usually of the landlord-tenant dispute type, contract disputes and personal injury claims.

Call (540) 422-8035.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

As its name implies, this court handles cases that involve individuals under the age of 18, as well as family and domestic disputes. It is this court which hears custody cases and presides over cases of alleged child abuse and neglect.

J. Gregory Ashwell is judge.

Call (540) 422-8040.

Commonwealth's Attorneys Office

The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office acts as prosecutors for criminal cases in each of the three courts.

Call (540) 422-8120.

Public Defender's Office

The court appoints lawyers from the Public Defender's Office to represent people accused of delinquent acts or crimes who cannot hire a lawyer on their own behalf.

The main office for the 20th Judicial Circuit is located in Leesburg, but there is a satellite office in Warrenton with three full-time attorneys on staff.

Call (540) 347-6390.