Essex County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers

(804) 673-7111

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Free Case Evaluation by a Top Rated Essex Lawyer

Please submit your contact information along with the relevant details of your case using the below form. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. Our normal office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law, PLLC, is a limited liability company that is registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our attorneys in Essex County Virginia are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We routinely represent clients before the Essex County Courts. Our law firm is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a “Best Law Firm” according to U.S. News and World Reports for the highest level of professional excellence in legal ability and ethical standards. The Martindale-Hubbell and Best Lawyers publications are distinguished, established organizations that publish reliable information regarding lawyers and law firms.

Essex County VA District Courts

Clerk Ms Dee Balderson Davis Phone/Fax Phone (804) 443-3744 Fax (804) 443-4122

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address P. O. Box 66 300 Prince Street Tappahannock, VA 22560

General District Judges

• Hon. Richard T. McGrath, Chief Judge
• Hon. Hugh S. Campbell
• Hon. Vincent S. Donoghue
• Hon. Angela M. O’Connor
• Hon. Jane M. Reynolds
• Hon. Julia H. Sichol
• Hon. Mayo J. Wilson

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judges

• Hon. Andrea M. Stewart, Chief Judge
• Hon. John E. Franklin
• Hon. Julian W. Johnson
• Hon. Marcel D. Jones
• Hon. Lisa A. Seward
• Hon. Georgia K. Sutton
• Hon. Frank G Uvanni
• Hon. Joseph A. Vance IV

Court Schedule

General District
Civil
2nd Tues., 9:00 a.m.
Collection Agent
2nd Tues., 9:00 a.m.
Small Claims
2nd Tues., 10:00 a.m.
Criminal
Thursday
County Deputies and Town Officers, 10:00 a.m.
State Police, 1:00 p.m.
Except 5th Thurs.
Arraignments & Motions
Video Arraignments, Thurs., 8:30 a.m. (except 5th Thurs.)
In Person Arraignments, Thurs., 8:30 a.m. (except 5th Thurs.)
Juvenile & Domestic Relations
Criminal & Traffic
1st & 2nd Mon., 9:00 a.m.
Criminal & Traffic & Custody/Visitation
4th Mon., 9:00 a.m.
Custody/Visitation & Non DCSE Support Cases
1st Tues., 9:00 a.m.

Continuance Policy

Continuances granted by Judge on Motion with good cause.

Essex County Virginia Circuit Court

Clerk Hon. Christina A Ambrose Phone/Fax Phone (804) 443-3541 (804) 443-4381 Fax (804) 445-1216

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Address P. O. Box 445 305 Prince Street Tappahannock, VA 22560

Circuit Judges

• Hon. Victoria A. B. Willis, Chief Judge
• Hon. David B. Caddell Jr.
• Hon. William E. Glover
• Hon. John Overton Harris
• Hon. Michael E. Levy
• Hon. John S. Martin, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Robert Eric Reibach
• Hon. Ricardo Rigual
• Hon. James Bruce Strickland
• Hon. Gordon F. Willis

Terms of Court and General Information

• Terms begin 4th Wednesday, Jan., April, July, & October.
• All cases set by agreement with Commonwealth’s Attorney at preliminary hearing, on Term Day, or by agreement of counsel and the Court. The latter may be done by a telephone call to the Commonwealth Attorney’s office and the Clerk’s office.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• In civil jury trials, instructions must be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel 5 days prior to trial.
• The practice for distribution of final orders is the following: DOC -fax P&P – fax Sentencing Guidelines – mail Orders to attorneys – automatically mailed to them after the judge signs, whether they ask or not.

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4/3/2025