Traffic Court Records in Craig County
Craig County traffic court records are handled through the court system in New Castle, Virginia. The county is part of Virginia's 25th Judicial Circuit, a circuit that covers several counties in western Virginia. Traffic violations are processed at the General District Court level, with the Circuit Court clerk serving as the primary contact for records and court information in this small, rural jurisdiction. You can search Craig County traffic court records through the Virginia Judicial System's statewide case information system online.
Craig County Court Overview
Craig County Circuit Court
Craig County is a small, rural jurisdiction in western Virginia. The Circuit Court clerk is Hon. Sharon P. Oliver, who can be reached by email at spoliver@vacourts.gov. The court is located at 182 Main Street, Suite 4, New Castle, VA 24127. Because Craig County is a small jurisdiction, the Circuit Court clerk handles inquiries for both the Circuit Court and General District Court functions. If you have questions about a traffic case or need to find records, the Circuit Court clerk's office is your first contact point.
Traffic cases are processed at the General District Court level in Virginia, with the Circuit Court handling appeals and more serious matters. In Craig County, GDC functions may be co-located with or administered near the Circuit Court. Call the main court number to confirm specific details for in-person visits or mail submissions. The 25th Judicial Circuit also covers Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Buena Vista, Highland, Lexington/Rockbridge, Staunton, and Waynesboro, making it one of the broader circuits in the state.
| Court | Craig County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 182 Main Street, Suite 4, New Castle, VA 24127 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 185, New Castle, VA 24127 |
| Phone | (540) 864-6141 |
| Fax | (540) 864-7471 |
| Clerk | Hon. Sharon P. Oliver |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 25th Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
Search Craig County Traffic Court Records
Craig County traffic court records can be searched through the Virginia Judicial System statewide case information system. Go to vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home and search by defendant name, case number, or hearing date. The OCIS 2.0 system covers all General District Courts in Virginia, including Craig County. Search results include charges, hearing dates, case status, and payment information.
Because Craig County is a smaller jurisdiction with a limited online presence, not every record may be immediately available online. If you cannot find a case through the online system, call the Circuit Court clerk's office at (540) 864-6141. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can also email the clerk at spoliver@vacourts.gov with specific records requests.
The county has an official website at craigcountyva.gov with general information about county services. For court-specific resources, the Virginia Judicial System pages at vacourts.gov provide official information about the Craig County court.
In-person access to records is available at the courthouse on 182 Main Street in New Castle. If you need certified copies of records, bring the case number and proper identification. Fees apply to certified copies. Contact the clerk's office in advance to confirm what you need to bring.
Note: Craig County is a rural jurisdiction. The online system may have more limited real-time data than larger counties. Call the court to confirm any case information you find online.
Traffic Violations in Craig County
Traffic violations in Craig County are governed by state law. The General District Court handles all traffic infractions and misdemeanors. Under Virginia Code Title 46.2, speeding and other moving violations carry fines and may result in DMV demerit points. Rural routes in Craig County include stretches where speeds are commonly monitored by state police and the county sheriff.
Reckless driving is one of the more serious offenses that comes through Virginia courts. Under § 46.2-862, driving more than 20 mph over the posted limit, or driving over 80 mph regardless of the speed limit, is reckless driving by speed. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Under § 46.2-852, reckless driving by general operation covers any driving that endangers life, limb, or property. Both charges carry possible jail time, fines, and 6 DMV demerit points if convicted.
Most ordinary speeding tickets are infractions under § 46.2-870. Fines increase with how far over the limit you were going. A conviction adds 3 points for 1-9 mph over, 4 points for 10-19 mph over, and 6 points for 20 mph or more over. Points stay on your Virginia driving record for two years. Insurance companies often consider these when setting premiums.
DUI charges are also handled in General District Court at the first instance. A DUI conviction has separate consequences from the court fine, including DMV action on your license. If you face a DUI or reckless driving charge in Craig County, you may want to consult an attorney before your court date.
Legal aid resources for Craig County residents are available through the statewide Virginia Legal Aid Society. Self-help resources are at selfhelp.vacourts.gov, which has guides on traffic court procedures in Virginia.
Paying Craig County Traffic Fines
Eligible traffic tickets in Craig County can be paid online through the Virginia Judicial System online payment system. A 4% convenience fee applies to all credit and debit card payments. You can also pay in person at the courthouse during business hours or by mail. For mail payments, send a check or money order to the court at P.O. Box 185, New Castle, VA 24127, made payable to Craig County Circuit Court.
Before you pay, check whether your ticket is eligible for prepayment. Some violations require a court appearance regardless of payment. Your summons will indicate whether you can pay without appearing in court. If you are unsure, call (540) 864-6141 to confirm before the hearing date. Payment is treated as a guilty plea and results in the conviction going on your driving record.
If you need to request a copy of a payment receipt or verify payment status, contact the clerk's office directly. Keep a copy of any payment confirmation in case there is a discrepancy in the court's records.
Craig County Court Resources
The Craig County government website provides general information about county services and links to court-related resources.
The county website links to state court resources and provides contact information for local offices including the clerk of court.
The Virginia Judicial System case information system is the primary online search tool for Craig County traffic court records.
Enter the defendant's name or case number in the search form to find Craig County traffic cases. Results include charges, scheduled dates, and payment status.
The Virginia Courts traffic ticket payment portal allows eligible Craig County defendants to pay fines online without visiting the courthouse.
Prepayable tickets can be paid here before your court date, avoiding the need to appear in person. Paying counts as a guilty plea and results in a conviction on your driving record.
The Craig County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System provides official court information and contact details.
For appeals or Circuit Court matters related to Craig County traffic cases, this page is the main official resource from the state court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Craig County and share the same judicial circuit or region of western Virginia.