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The Virginia Beach Circuit Court is an integral part of the judicial system for the city of Virginia Beach, serving a key role in both civil and criminal cases. Situated off Princess Anne Road in the southern part of the city near Pungo, this court addresses a wide variety of legal matters, including medical malpractice, car accidents, and other types of personal injury cases.

The court is known for its professional atmosphere, thorough judicial procedures, and modernized facilities that contribute to the fair and efficient handling of cases. The current Circuit Court building was constructed in 1993. However, the original Virginia Beach Circuit courthouse dates back to the early 1800s and occupied a nearby area to the present Municipal Court complex.

All visitors to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court must enter through the main entrance of Building 10, located at 2425 Nimmo Pkwy., Virginia Beach, VA 23456. This is the only public entrance to the court’s building.

Virginia Beach, VA Circuit Court

Court Policies on Security and Cell Phones

One of the most frequently asked questions by those entering the courthouse is whether they can bring their cell phones inside. The general public is not allowed to bring cell phones, personal communication devices, or electronic devices into the Judicial Center court building unless the device is necessary to present evidence in court.

In these situations, you must secure the device in a locker at the main entrance and inform a security officer that you will need it in court. The cost to rent a locker is fifty cents. Bring the locker key to the courtroom, and a courtroom deputy will retrieve it for you when your case is called. At the end of the trial, the bailiff will have the phone delivered back to the courthouse entrance security personnel for your retrieval.

Parking Availability

One concern many people have when visiting a courthouse is parking. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court has a free parking lot in front of the courthouse. There is also parking behind the building off Nimmo Parkway and James Madison Boulevard. If the front lot is full, there is a small shopping center across the street from the courthouse with parking.

Court Structure and Judicial Officers

The Virginia Beach Circuit Court is comprised of several judges who preside over different types of cases. As of the latest available data, the court is staffed by eight full-time circuit judges, and each is responsible for a broad range of case types. The exact number of judges can vary slightly depending on the current staffing level and judicial appointments, but the court is generally staffed with enough judicial officers to handle its caseload efficiently.

Judges in Virginia Beach Circuit Court handle both jury and non-jury trials. Jury trials are common for serious criminal matters such as felony cases and civil disputes involving significant financial claims. Non-jury trials, on the other hand, may be conducted for cases that involve less complexity or for parties who prefer a judge to render a decision rather than a jury.

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Filing a Personal Injury Case in Circuit Court vs. General District Court

There are notable differences between filing a personal injury case in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and the General District Court. The most significant difference lies in the types of cases each court handles and the monetary limits for claims.

The General District Court has a smaller jurisdiction and is typically used for less complex cases involving smaller amounts of money. Personal injury claims in the General District Court are generally limited to a maximum of $50,000 in damages. If a plaintiff’s claim exceeds this amount, they must file their case in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.

On the other hand, the Virginia Beach Circuit Court is the more appropriate venue for larger, more complex cases. The Circuit Court allows for more extensive discovery processes, including depositions and document exchanges, giving parties more opportunity to build their cases.

Cases in the Circuit Court may be heard by a jury, allowing a party to have a group of peers decide the outcome, which is not available in the General District Court.

Another difference is that cases in the General District Court are typically heard more quickly, while cases in the Circuit Court can take longer due to the complexity of the legal issues and the larger number of cases processed.

The modern Virginia Beach Courthouse was completed in 1993 and houses both the Circuit and General District Courts.

All We Do Is Injury Law

Our Virginia Beach, VA, personal injury law firm is very familiar with this local circuit court, having had local area jury trials and hearings stretching back to 1995 before this and other local circuit courts in Virginia. Knowing our way around the local courthouse, including being familiar with the propensity of the circuit court judges, having dealt with circuit court staff in the past, and having tried significant personal injury jury trials, makes our firm uniquely situated to handle major and catastrophic personal injury cases before our local circuit courts.

Since 1985, our firm has handled nothing but personal injury law, and our reputation in the local community speaks volumes. If you or a loved one has been injured, call 833-997-1774 to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation with one of our dedicated Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers.

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