General District Court
Warren General District Court
1 East Main Street
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
Telephone: (540) 635-2335
Fax: (540) 636-8233
Hours: 8:15 am - 4:15 pm
The Court that most people have contact with is the General District Court. The General District Court handles most traffic violations. The General District Court also hears minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors and conducts preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies.
General District Courts have exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and share authority with the Circuit Courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000. Examples of civil cases are landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes and personal injury actions.
There is a General District Court in each city and county in Virginia. General District Court Judges are elected by the General Assembly for 6-year terms. General District Court Clerks are appointed by the Judge. Judges, Clerks and staff are employees of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Judges:
The Honorable W. Dale Houff, Presiding Judge
The Honorable Richard A. Claybrook, Jr., Chief Judge
The Honorable Amy B. Tisinger
The Honorable David S. Whitacre
Clerks:
Pamela S. Kidwell, Clerk
Lauren Jones, Deputy Clerk
Sheila Thomas, Deputy Clerk
Rhonda McDaniel, Deputy Clerk
Court Schedule:
CIVIL
First and Third Friday, 9:00 am
Hospital Cases: Wednesday, 9:00 am
Small Claims: Wednesday, 9:30 am
TRAFFIC AND CRIMINAL
Local Ordinances: Tuesday, 9:00 am
State Ordinances: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 am
Virginia State Troopers: Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:00 am
Trials: By 1:00 pm, Scheduled by Judge
Useful Links:
General District Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation
General District Court Informational Pamphlet
General District Court Online Information System
Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses
Virginia's Judicial System Website for General District Court