Pittsylvania County Traffic Court Records

Pittsylvania County traffic court records are on file at the General District Court in Chatham, Virginia. The court is part of the 22nd Judicial District and handles all traffic violations issued within the county, from speeding tickets to DUI charges and reckless driving cases. Three judges preside here, and the court runs a detailed weekly schedule that separates traffic cases from civil matters. This page explains how to access Pittsylvania County traffic records online and in person, and what to expect from the court process.

Pittsylvania County General District Court

The Pittsylvania County General District Court is located at 11 Bank Street, Suite 201, Chatham, VA 24531. The mailing address is P.O. Box 695, Chatham, VA 24531. The phone number is (434) 432-7879 and the fax is (434) 432-7915. The court is open Monday through Friday. Three judges preside over the General District Court: Hon. Allen W. (A.J.) Dudley Jr. serves as Chief Judge, Hon. Leslie R. (Les) Adams serves as Presiding Judge, and Hon. Greg T. Haymore rounds out the bench.

The Circuit Court in Pittsylvania County is at One North Main Street, Post Office Drawer 31, Chatham, VA 24531, reachable at (434) 432-7887. The Circuit Court handles felony matters, appeals from the General District Court, and civil cases above the General District Court's jurisdiction threshold. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court sits at 5 Bank St, 3rd floor, P.O. Box 270, Chatham, and can be reached at (434) 432-7861. Juvenile traffic violations are handled in that court separately from adult cases.

Pittsylvania County Court Schedule

The Pittsylvania County General District Court runs a structured weekly docket that separates traffic and criminal cases from civil matters by day. Traffic and criminal cases are heard on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The schedule on those days starts at 8:30 a.m. for pro se defendants (those representing themselves). Cases set for review are called at 9:30 a.m. Cases with represented defendants run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Arraignments happen every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Civil cases run on Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday starts at 8:30 a.m. for pro se litigants, with contested civil cases heard from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday is for attorney-scheduled first returns at 10:00 a.m., and pro se civil litigants are also heard at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays. Understanding this schedule helps you know when to arrive if you have a traffic case in Pittsylvania County. If you are represented by an attorney, your case will be in the 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. block on the traffic days.

The official court page at pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/427/General-District-Court has current information on the Pittsylvania County General District Court, including the court schedule and judge contacts.

Search Pittsylvania County Traffic Records

Virginia provides free online access to Pittsylvania County traffic court records through vacourts.gov/caseinfo. Select General District Court, choose Pittsylvania County, and search by defendant name or case number. The portal shows charge description, case type, court date, and disposition. Most cases from recent years are in the system. For older records or certified copies, contact the clerk's office at (434) 432-7879.

Use the Pittsylvania County staff directory to find the right contact within the court system when you have a specific question about a traffic case or records request.

Search Pittsylvania County traffic cases at vacourts.gov/caseinfo. The system includes all General District Court dockets across Virginia without any subscription or login required.

For traffic cases that were appealed or involved felony charges, check the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court page at vacourts.gov for court contact information and case details.

Traffic Violations in Pittsylvania County

Virginia traffic law under Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia governs all traffic violations in Pittsylvania County. Speeding is the most common charge. Fines scale with the degree of the violation. Exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or reaching 85 mph triggers reckless driving under § 46.2-862. That shifts the charge from a civil fine to a Class 1 misdemeanor with potential criminal consequences.

Reckless driving under § 46.2-852 carries up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and six demerit points on the driving record. It is a permanent part of a person's criminal record. Pittsylvania County has significant road network coverage including U.S. Route 29, which runs north-south through the county and is a common site of speed enforcement. Many reckless driving charges here come from Route 29 patrols. Attorneys in the area routinely handle these cases in Chatham.

DUI cases are also a significant part of the court's criminal docket. A first DUI under § 18.2-266 results in a one-year license revocation and mandatory VASAP. Second offenses require a minimum of 20 days in jail. All DUI records are public and searchable through the Virginia Courts system. The court's 8:30 a.m. arraignment schedule reflects the volume of criminal and traffic matters filed each week in Pittsylvania County.

The General District Court also handles civil cases here with a broader jurisdiction than most Virginia general district courts. The court has exclusive authority over civil claims of $4,500 or less. For claims between $4,500 and $25,000, both the General District Court and Circuit Court have jurisdiction. For personal injury or wrongful death cases, the General District Court's jurisdiction reaches up to $50,000.

Paying Traffic Fines in Pittsylvania County

Some Pittsylvania County traffic fines can be paid online at the Virginia Courts self-help portal. You need your case number to access the online payment screen. Not all violations are eligible. Reckless driving and DUI require court appearances and cannot be prepaid online. If you are unsure whether your charge qualifies, call the clerk at (434) 432-7879 before your court date.

In-person payments are accepted at 11 Bank Street, Suite 201 in Chatham during regular business hours. Mail payments go to P.O. Box 695, Chatham, VA 24531. Include a check or money order payable to the court along with your summons or case number. If your court date is approaching, mail early enough to allow processing time. Missed court dates in Pittsylvania County lead to a failure to appear charge, a capias warrant, and potential license suspension by Virginia DMV.

Expungement of Pittsylvania County Traffic Records

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, a person may petition for expungement of a Pittsylvania County traffic charge if the charge was dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in an acquittal. The petition is filed in the Circuit Court at One North Main Street in Chatham. A filing fee applies. The court holds a hearing and must find that keeping the record causes manifest injustice before granting expungement.

Virginia's 2021 legislative update created a sealing pathway for some misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period. Traffic infractions paid as fines generally do not qualify for expungement. But dismissed or reduced charges may be eligible. A Virginia attorney familiar with Pittsylvania County courts can evaluate your specific record and tell you whether filing an expungement petition makes sense in your case.

Nearby Counties

Pittsylvania County is one of Virginia's largest counties by area and borders several south-central Virginia localities.