Search Traffic Court Records in Pulaski County

Pulaski County traffic court records are kept by the General District Court at 45 Third Street NW in the Town of Pulaski, Virginia. You can search these records online through the Virginia courts case information system, or visit the courthouse in person to request copies. The General District Court handles traffic infractions, misdemeanor charges, and civil claims for the county. If you received a ticket in Pulaski County or need to find the status of a pending case, this guide explains what you need to know about accessing Pulaski County traffic court records.

Pulaski County General District Court

Pulaski County's court offices are all located at the same address: 45 Third Street NW in the Town of Pulaski. The General District Court is in Suite 102, with Clerk Ms. Anna E. Smythers-Stitt overseeing the office. Phone number is (540) 980-7470 and hours run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. The Circuit Court is one floor away in Suite 101, Clerk Spencer A. Rygas. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court occupies Suite 103. This compact setup means most court business for Pulaski County residents is handled in the same building.

Pulaski County is part of Virginia's 27th Judicial Circuit and District. The 27th Judicial District is a broad district covering Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Radford, and Wythe. Traffic violations and misdemeanors are handled at the General District level. Felony matters go to the Circuit Court, and appeals from district court decisions are also heard by the Circuit Court. Traffic infractions must be appealed within 10 days of the court's judgment.

Find Pulaski County Traffic Records Online

Virginia's statewide case information system gives you access to Pulaski County traffic court records without a trip to the courthouse. Go to vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home and select Pulaski County General District Court from the court dropdown. Search by the defendant's name, a case number, or a hearing date. The results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and the final outcome. New tickets usually appear in the system within 10 business days of being issued.

Circuit Court records for cases appealed from district court are available through the same statewide portal. You can also call the General District Court at (540) 980-7470 to ask about a specific case. Staff can confirm whether a case is on file and let you know the best way to obtain copies. For sealed or restricted records, you will need to provide proof of your identity and your legal standing to access those files.

The Circuit Court in Suite 101 handles felony cases and appeals. If a traffic matter escalated to a felony or was appealed after a district court ruling, those records live with the Circuit Court clerk. Clerk Spencer A. Rygas oversees that office at the same address; phone is 540-980-7825.

Traffic Violations and Virginia Law

Traffic cases in Pulaski County are governed by the Virginia Code. Interstate 81 runs through the county, and enforcement on this corridor is frequent. Reckless driving under Virginia Code § 46.2-852 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It covers driving in a manner that endangers life, limb, or property. A conviction can mean jail time up to 12 months, a fine up to $2,500, and 6 demerit points added to your driving record in Virginia.

Speed-based reckless driving under § 46.2-862 kicks in when a driver exceeds 80 mph anywhere in Virginia, or drives 20 mph or more over the posted limit. On I-81 through Pulaski County, where the speed limit is 70 mph, driving at 90 mph would meet the threshold for this charge. Many people receive these citations and do not realize it is a criminal charge until they appear in court.

Standard speeding under § 46.2-870 is a civil infraction, not a criminal matter. It results in demerit points, a fine, and possible court costs, but no jail exposure. However, accumulating too many demerit points within a 12-month or 24-month window can lead to a license suspension by the DMV. Some first-time speeding offenders may be eligible for a driver improvement course to reduce points or seek dismissal. Ask the court about this option at your hearing date.

Note: Prepaying a speeding ticket counts as a guilty plea and results in DMV demerit points being assessed against your license.

Copies, Records, and Fine Payments

Inspecting Pulaski County traffic court records in person is free. Printed copies follow Virginia's standard fee schedule: $1.00 each for the first two pages, $0.50 per page after that, and $2.00 for document certification. These fees apply across all Virginia courts. To request copies by mail, write to the General District Court clerk at 45 Third Street NW, Suite 102, Pulaski, VA 24301. Include the case number, names of the parties, and what documents you need.

Traffic fines in Pulaski County can be paid online through the Virginia courts portal at vacourts.gov. Select Pulaski County General District Court, search for your case, and proceed with payment. In-person payments go to Suite 102 during business hours. All credit and debit card payments carry a mandatory 4% convenience fee, whether paid online, in person, or by phone.

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, some dismissed or not-guilty traffic charges may qualify for expungement. If a case does not appear in the online system, it may have been expunged or sealed. Traffic and misdemeanor records are kept for 10 years after final disposition; older records may no longer be available through the court.

Paying a traffic fine does not reinstate a suspended license. After payment, take your receipt to the Virginia DMV to clear any suspension separately from the court payment.

Nearby Counties

These counties are in the same region and share the 27th Judicial District. Each has its own traffic court records.