Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court

9th Judicial Circuit of Virginia

Circuit Courts Informational Pamphlet

CLERK OF COURT

Hon. Elizabeth O'Connor

Clerk's Office Hours

8:30AM - 4:00PM

Recordation cut off time: 4:00PM


PHONE

(757) 564-2242
Concealed Handgun Permits (757) 564-2356
Probate (757) 564-2379
Fines/Costs/Restitution (757) 564-2360
Name Changes (757) 564-2354
Recording Department (757) 564-2349
Expungements (757) 564-2404
Criminal Judgements (757) 564-2360
Marriage License (757) 564-2356
Divorces/Adoptions/Ministers (757) 564-2354
Criminal Department (757) 564-2353
Jury Administrator (757) 564-2404
Law Suits (757) 564-2352

FAX

(757) 564-2329

ADDRESS

5201 Monticello Avenue
Suite Six
Williamsburg, VA 23188-8218

Judge's address
5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite One
Williamsburg, VA 23188-8218

    • Hon. Joshua P. DeFord, Chief Judge
    • Hon. B. Elliott Bondurant
    • Hon. Richard H. Rizk
    • Hon. Jeffrey W. Shaw
    • Hon. Holly B. Smith

  • Court Policies
  • Dress Code Policy

    In order to maintain order and uphold the dignity and decorum of the judicial branch of our government, rules of conduct and attire for litigants, counsel, witnesses, court staff and spectators will ensure that persons in the courtroom do not obstruct or interfere with the orderly transaction of court business nor degrade or insult the dignity of the judicial process, judicial officers, witnesses, or others in the courtroom.

      Prohibited Attire Includes:
      • Shorts of any kind, or cut-off jeans;
      • Halter, tube or tank tops, "muscle shirts"; strapless dresses/tops;
      • Shirts/tops with midriffs exposed; mini-skirts;
      • Clothing with obscene, vulgar or offensive language or pictures;
      • See-through blouses/dresses;
      • Sunglasses; flip flops; hats or bandanas.
  • Prohibited Items
      The following items are not allowed:
      • Food and beverage; chewing gum; use of tobacco products
      • Cell phones or other electronic devices (unless necessary for a court hearing, AND with the Judge's permission).
  • Jury Service

  • Terms begin, 3rd Wednesday, Jan., March, May, July, Sept., & Nov.
  • Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
  • Civil trials are set by praecipe submitted seven days preceding Term Day. Setting of trials without appearance at docket call will be at the Judge's discretion. (Judge's administrator handles all scheduling of civil cases.)
  • Grand Juries at 9:00 a.m.
  • Criminal docket calls at 9:00 a.m.
  • Civil docket calls at 11:00 a.m.
  • Instructions must be submitted prior to trial.
  • Local rules adopted pursuant to Section 8.01-4.
  • Should term day fall on a legal holiday as set forth in Section 2.2-3300, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the term day will be rescheduled.
  • Faxes from attorneys and litigants will NOT be accepted for any civil and criminal cases.
  • The criminal division emails the final court orders to the attorneys upon request. We also have quite a few attorneys that use the OCRA system to obtain their own copies. We strongly encourage attorneys to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of their certified orders.
  • Civil appeals from General District Court will be heard on the term date listed on Notice of Appeal. Setting of trials without appearance at docket call will be at the Judge's discretion. (Judge's administrator handles all scheduling of civil cases)