Nelson County VA Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyers 

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a limited liability company registered to practice law with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Our Nelson County VA attorneys are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We represent clients every week before the Nelson County VA Courts. Our Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rated Nelson County VA attorneys are also 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.

Nelson County VA General District Court

Clerk Ashley Melton Johnson Phone/Fax Phone (434) 263-7040 Fax (434) 263-7033

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 84 Courthouse Square Lovingston, VA 22949

GDC Judges

• Hon. Sam Daniel Eggleston III, Chief Judge
• Hon. Stephanie S. Maddox, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Randy C. Krantz, Presiding Judge

GDC Court Schedule

Wednesdays
8:30 a.m.
Advisements
9:00 a.m.
Unrepresented traffic cases
10:00 a.m.
Represented criminal defense and traffic cases Nelson County VA Attorney
11:00 a.m.
Unrepresented criminal cases
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
All Civil and Animal Control cases
**Court is not held on any 5th Wednesday
**Nelson County VA attorneys call for prior approval of court date for any civil filings

Continuance Policy

Nelson County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

Clerk Heather Hall Stevens Phone/Fax Phone (434) 263-7030 Fax (434) 263-7044

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Address 84 Courthouse Square Lovingston, VA 22949

JDR Judges

• Hon. Jennifer E. Stille, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge
• Hon. Eugene N. Butler
• Hon. Brooke Taylor Willse Gaddy
• Hon. Robert Louis Harrison Jr.
• Hon. Stephanie Mutter-Ayers
• Hon. H. Cary Payne

JDR Court Schedule

All Juvenile & Domestic Relations
1st & 3rd Tues., Civil 9:00 a.m.
Thurs., Criminal morning, Civil/DSS afternoon

Continuance Policy

Nelson County Circuit Court

Clerk Hon. Lisa Dugan Bryant Phone/Fax Phone (434) 263-7020 Fax (434) 263-7027

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Address 84 Courthouse Square, 1st Floor Lovingston, VA 22949-0010

Circuit Judges

• Hon. James F. Watson, Chief Judge
• Hon. James W. Updike Jr., Presiding Judge
• Hon. Jeffrey P. Bennett
• Hon. John T. Cook
• Hon. Michael R. Doucette
• Hon. Frank Patrick Yeatts

Terms of Circuit Court and General Information

• Terms begin, 4th Tuesday, Jan, March, May, Sept , & Nov.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
• All cases set on Term Day or directly through Judge at other times.
• Court convenes 9:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in general chancery causes. Divorce cases not usually referred.
• The Clerk of the Nelson County Circuit Court provides copies of Orders to local Nelson County VA attorneys (within the Court square)and the Probation Officer by placing certified copies in their mailbox in the Clerk’s Office. Certified copies of Orders for Attorneys outside the local area, to agencies (i.e. DMV, VASAP, DOC, etc.) are mailed by regular mail. This is the practice in both civil and criminal cases.

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4/13/2025