Rockbridge 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 lawyers in Rockbridge County VA are licensed to practice law by the Virginia State Bar. We represent clients every week before the Rockbridge County VA 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.

Rockbridge County VA General District Court

Clerk Ms Jacqueline Cummins Miller Phone/Fax Phone: (540) 463-3631 Fax: (540) 463-4213

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Address 20 South Randolph Street, Suite 200 Lexington, VA 24450 Proper attire required in the Court Room: No shorts No halter/tank tops No flip-flops/bedroom slippers No t-shirts No hats No food, drinks or gum Cell phones and pagers are not permitted in the courtroom Do not bring children to court with you, unless they have been summoned.

GDC Judges

• Hon. William Harrison Cleaveland, Chief Judge
• Hon. Christopher M. Billias
• Hon. Robin J. Mayer
• Hon. Rupen R. Shah

GDC Court Schedule

Arraignments
   Criminal: Fri., 1:30 p.m.
   Traffic: Fri., 1:30 p.m.
Trials
   Criminal: Every Mon., Wed., and Fri., 8:30 a.m.(uncontested); 9 
   a.m. (contested)
Civil
   Contested: 2nd & 4th Thurs., 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. 
   - 4:00 p.m.
   Uncontested: 2nd & 4th Mon., 1:30 p.m. for attorney filed 1st 
   return
   First return: 2nd & 4th Mon., 2:00 p.m.
   Small Claims & Garnishments: 2nd & 4th Mon., 3:30 p.m.
Show Cause Docket: 1st & 3rd Mon., 2:00 p.m.

Continuance Policy

Request for a continuance should be made at least 5 days before scheduled Court date.

Rockbridge County VA Circuit Court

Clerk Hon. Hon. Michelle M. Trout Phone/Fax Phone (540) 463-2232 Fax (540) 463-3850

Clerk’s Office Hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Address 20 South Randolph Street, Suite 101 Lexington, VA 24450

Circuit Judges

• Hon. Joel R. Branscom, Chief Judge
• Hon. Paul A. Dryer
• Hon. Anne F Reed
• Hon. Christopher B. Russell, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Shannon T. Sherrill
• Hon. Edward K. Stein
• Hon. Sean Calvin Workowski

Terms of Circuit Court and General Information

• Court convenes 9:30 a.m.
• Terms begin, 1st Monday, Feb., May, & Nov.; 2nd Monday in July; Tuesday following Labor Day in Sept.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
• Criminal cases set on first day of each Term.
• Misdemeanor Appeals Days, 2nd Wednesday of each month.
• Civil cases set on the 1st and 2nd Thursday of each month by judge’s secretary shhartley@vacourts.gov.
• Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in limited cases except divorce.
• Rockbridge Circuit Court’s policy is to provide copies of final civil orders to local attorneys by placing the copy in their mailbox in our office and to mail copies to out-ot-town attorneys and pro se litigants within two days of entry. We do not require a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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7/25/2021 | Updated 4/13/2025