Criminal Case Information – Circuit Court

The Judicial Support Criminal Division processes felony, misdemeanor appeal, misdemeanor, juvenile appeal and traffic infraction cases. Virginia’s Judicial System Case Information web page shows the status of Hanover Circuit Court Criminal Cases, including defendants’ names and trial dates.

If you are charged with a traffic offense or misdemeanor and have not been to court, it is possible that your case will be tried in the General District Court (Tel. 804-365-6191) and not Circuit Court.

General District Court case information, including defendants' names and trial dates, can be accessed at the Case Information web page.

Notify the Clerk’s Office at HanoverCC@courts.state.va.us, if you have a question about this web page or if any of the links on this page do not work.

Judicial Support Criminal Division – Contact information

The office is on the 2nd floor of the Circuit Court Building, 7507 Library Drive, Hanover, VA 23069, and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. See Hanover County Government Complex Map and Directions for location information.
 
Call the Criminal Division at the following numbers:

• 804-365-3137
• 804-365-6122
• 804-365-6843
• 804-365-6144
• 804-365-6155

Fines and Court Costs

Fines and/or court costs are assessed against individuals convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or traffic infraction. Fines and court costs are due when imposed unless the defendant enters into a payment plan agreement approved by the Court. Payment plans are signed at the Criminal Division office in the Clerk’s Office or before a notary public if the payment agreement is signed outside of the Clerk’s Office.

Judgment for the amount of fines and costs is entered against the defendant and interest accrues on the balance due. Judgments are docketed in the Clerk’s Office.
Individuals who do not promptly pay fines and court costs when due may be subject to the following:

• Unpaid fines and court costs are reported to the Department of Taxation for Set-off Debt Collection (after proper notice, any tax refund or lottery proceeds due the defendant will be sent to the Clerk's Office to pay off the debt).
• Unpaid fines and court costs are reported to the Department of Taxation, which acts as debt collector for the Circuit Court.
• Notice of any unpaid fines and/or court costs is sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will suspend the defendant's operator's license if payment is not made.
  

Payment of Fines and Costs – method of payment

In person. Payments are made at the Criminal Division office on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. See Hanover County Government Complex Map and Directions for location information. We recommend that payments be made prior to 4:00 p.m.

By mail. Payments sent by mail to Hanover Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Attention: Criminal Division, Post Office Box 39, Hanover, VA 23069, must identify the account (case number and defendant name) to which payment should be credited. This information is important if there are multiple accounts for the same defendant.

The Clerk's Office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, VISA and Mastercard. Never send cash payments by mail.

Credit card payments can be handled by phone, if the Clerk's Office has written authorization to use the credit card. The authorization can be faxed. The Deputy Clerk handling the payment will provide a fax number. Note: The Clerk’s Office must receive a written authorization with each credit card payment.

How are hearings or trials scheduled in Circuit Court criminal cases?

Trial dates are generally assigned to felony cases when they are certified to Circuit Court from the District Courts. Circuit Court trial dates are assigned to misdemeanor appeals from the District Courts when the appeal is noted.

Copy requests

Copies of filings or orders may be requested in person or in writing. The copy fee is 50¢ per page. There is a $2.00 fee for certifying a document copy. Copy requests made by mail must be accompanied by (1) a check or money order payable to Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk for copy and/or certification costs, and (2) a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the requested copy. The mailing address is Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Attention: Criminal Division, Post Office Box 39, Hanover, VA 23069.
Additional information regarding criminal court

The Virginia's Judicial Systemwebsite contains answers to questions about criminal court.