Traffic Court Records in Alleghany County

Alleghany County traffic court records are maintained by the Combined General and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court located in Covington, Virginia. This court is part of the 25th Judicial District and handles all traffic cases for the county. If you have a traffic ticket, need to check a case status, or want to look up past traffic court records in Alleghany County, use this page to find the right resources and contact information.

Alleghany County Combined District Court

Alleghany County uses a combined court structure. The General District Court and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court share the same building at 266 West Main Street in Covington. Court Clerk Felicia Nelson runs the office. The court is part of the 25th Judicial District, which also includes Augusta County, Bath County, Botetourt County, and several other localities in the western Virginia region. Chief Judge Hon. Christopher M. Billias leads the General District division, with Judges Hon. Robin J. Mayer, Hon. Rupen R. Shah, and Hon. David Browning Spigle also assigned to this district.

The court operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Traffic cases are scheduled on specific days and times based on which law enforcement agency filed the charge. Monday sessions handle cases from the Covington Police Department and the Alleghany County Sheriff's Department. Tuesday sessions cover Virginia State Police cases and Clifton Forge Police. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month include additional sessions for Sheriff and police cases.

Find Alleghany County Traffic Court Records

You can look up Alleghany County traffic court records through the Virginia Courts Case Information System. Go to the site, choose Alleghany County from the locality list, and search by name or case number. Results include charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case outcomes. The system is free to use. Most courts update case data within 10 business days of the hearing.

For certified copies of traffic case records, contact the clerk's office directly at (540) 965-1720. You can ask for copies in person or by mail. In-person requests can be fulfilled the same day if the clerk can locate the file. Mail requests may take longer. Bring or include your ID and a written description of what you need.

The Circuit Court for Alleghany County handles appeals from the General District Court. Circuit Court Clerk Hon. Debra Byer can be reached at (540) 965-1730. The Circuit Court address is 266 West Main Street in Covington, in the same building as the lower courts.

Note: The case information system shows basic case data only. For full records or certified documents, you must contact the clerk's office directly.

Traffic Court Schedule in Alleghany County

Knowing the Alleghany County traffic court schedule helps you prepare for your date. Monday sessions, except the fifth Monday of the month, start at 8:30 a.m. with arraignments for Covington Police and Alleghany County Sheriff cases. Unrepresented defendants are called at 9:00 a.m. Represented defendants follow at 10:00 a.m. Civil cases run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday follows a similar pattern. Arraignments begin at 8:30 a.m. Virginia State Police cases go at 9:00 a.m. for unrepresented defendants and 10:00 a.m. for those with attorneys. VASAP (Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program) is scheduled at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesdays. Clifton Forge Police and Code Enforcement cases are heard in the afternoon, starting at 1:00 p.m. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month include sessions for the Alleghany County Sheriff at 9:00 a.m. and Covington Police at 1:00 p.m. There is no court on the 1st, 3rd, or 5th Thursday.

If you are not sure when your case is scheduled, call the clerk at (540) 965-1720 or check the online case system. Missing your date without a continuance can result in a failure-to-appear charge and extra fees on your case.

Traffic Violations and Virginia Law

Traffic violations in Alleghany County range from minor infractions like speeding to serious misdemeanor charges like reckless driving. The type of charge affects how you can respond. Prepayable infractions can be paid before court. Misdemeanors require a court appearance. Reckless driving under Virginia Code Section 46.2-852 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Going over 80 mph or driving 20 mph or more over the posted limit triggers this charge automatically under Section 46.2-862.

Speed limits in Alleghany County are set under Section 46.2-870. The county has a mix of state highways and rural roads. Interstate 64 passes through the area. State Police enforcement on I-64 generates a significant number of the traffic cases brought to Alleghany County's Tuesday court sessions. Local roads around Covington and Clifton Forge are patrolled by local police.

Every conviction gets sent to the Virginia DMV, which assigns demerit points to your record. Minor speeding carries three to four demerit points. Reckless driving carries six. Points stay on your record two years from the offense date. If you accumulate too many points, the DMV may require a driver improvement course or suspend your license.

Alleghany County also enforces rules around court dress code. The court prohibits shorts and clothing with offensive language or images. Dress appropriately when you appear.

Continuances and Case Deferrals

In Alleghany County, a judge or clerk can grant the first continuance for a traffic case. Any continuance after the first requires a judge's decision, typically made on a formal motion. For criminal traffic cases, you also need approval from the Commonwealth's Attorney. If you are not represented, contact the clerk's office at (540) 965-1720 as early as possible to explain your situation.

If your case involves a charge that falls under Virginia's expungement law, Code Section 19.2-392.2 may apply if the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty. Expungement does not apply to most traffic convictions. Speak with a lawyer if you have questions about clearing your record.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Alleghany in western Virginia. Each has its own district court for traffic cases.