Clarke County Court serves the 26th Judicial Circuit of Virginia and provides court services from Berryville for civil, criminal, family, and traffic matters. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, located at 102 N. Church Street, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can be reached at (540) 955-5116 for case records, filing procedures, and court information. Users can perform a Clarke County court case search through the Virginia Court System’s online portal to access case details and hearing information. The General District Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, and civil claims, while the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court oversees custody, adoption, and other family matters. Court forms, online fine payments, and court calendars are also available through Virginia’s official court services.
Clarke County Court also provides services through the Victim Witness Program and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for criminal cases. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System allows users to perform a Clarke County court case lookup, review dockets, and check upcoming court dates. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains official records, including probate files, land records, and court transcripts, while the General District Court publishes daily hearing schedules. Jury information, interpreter services, and ADA accommodations are available through the courthouse for eligible visitors. Electronic filing is offered for many civil cases, although marriage licenses and passport services must still be completed in person during regular office hours.
Search Clarke County, VA Court Cases Online
Clarke County VA court case lookup allows residents, attorneys, and businesses to access public court records through the Virginia Court System online portal. The Clerk of Circuit Court in Clarke County maintains all civil, criminal, and traffic case records for the county. This page explains how to search for cases, which courts handle different matters, and where to find official forms and filings.
- https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/index.html
Clarke County is located along the northern border of Virginia, bordering West Virginia, and forms part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Berryville. The court system here includes the Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. All three courts share the same online case lookup system managed by the Virginia Judicial System.
Virginia Court Online Case Information System
The Virginia Court System provides a free online case lookup tool for all counties, including Clarke County. This system covers criminal and traffic case information across the state. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name.
To start a search, visit the Online Case Information System at Virginia Courts Online Case Information. This portal is the primary way to look up Clarke County court cases without visiting the courthouse in person. The system shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and judgment information. Traffic citations, misdemeanor cases, and felony cases all appear in this database. Civil cases from the General District Court and Circuit Court are also searchable here.
What You Can Find in the Online Lookup
- Criminal case records for adults in Circuit Court and General District Court
- Traffic infraction and violation records
- Civil case filings including small claims and personal injury
- Hearing schedules and upcoming court dates
- Case disposition and final judgment details
- Attorney of record information
Clarke County Circuit Court
The Clarke County Circuit Court handles the most serious cases in the county. This includes felony criminal charges, civil cases over $25,000, divorce and family matters, and wills and estates. The Clerk of Circuit Court also records and maintains real property records for the county. The Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Clarke County. You can contact the office at (540) 955-5116. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is located in the county courthouse in Berryville.
Circuit Court cases are assigned unique case numbers. When searching for a case online, you need either the case number or the full name of one party involved. The online system returns results quickly for most searches.
| Case Type | Typical Examples | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Felony crimes | Assault, drug offenses, theft over $1,000 | Circuit Court |
| Civil lawsuits | Personal injury, breach of contract over $25,000 | Circuit Court |
| Divorce and custody | Divorce filings, child custody orders | Circuit Court |
| Wills and estates | Probate, will contests, estate administration | Circuit Court |
| Real property records | Deeds, liens, property transfers | Circuit Court Clerk |
Clarke County General District Court
The General District Court handles less serious cases. This court hears misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and civil cases where the amount in dispute is under $25,000. Small claims cases under $5,000 also go through General District Court. General District Court cases are searchable through the same online system. You can find traffic ticket resolutions, driving infractions, and minor civil disputes here. The court does not hold jury trials. All cases are decided by a judge.
- https://www.vacourts.gov/gdfees_calc_app
To calculate civil filing fees for General District Court, you can use the fee calculator at Virginia General District Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation. This tool helps determine the correct filing fee before submitting documents.
General District Court Forms
General District Court civil forms can be completed online and printed for submission to the court. The forms available for completion include warrant in debt forms, summons forms, and other civil paperwork. Visit the Virginia Court System website at vacourts.gov to access these forms.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles cases involving minors and family matters. This court hears juvenile delinquency cases, child abuse and neglect cases, child custody and visitation disputes, and domestic violence protective orders.
Records in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court are generally confidential and not available to the public through the online case lookup system. Parties to a case, attorneys, and certain authorized individuals can access these records through the court directly.
How to Perform a Clarke County VA Court Case Search
Follow these steps to look up a court case in Clarke County using the Virginia online system.
- Open your web browser and go to Virginia Courts Online Case Information
- Read the disclaimer and agree to the terms of use
- Select your search method: by case number, by name, or by attorney
- Enter the case number or the last name of the party you are searching for
- Review the search results and click on the case number to see full details
- View case status, charges, hearing dates, and judgment information
The system updates daily with new case information. Court records from the same day may not appear until the next business day. If you cannot find a case online, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court office directly by phone at (540) 955-5116.
Case Search by Name vs Case Number
Searching by name is common when you do not know the case number. Enter the last name and first name of the person involved. The system returns a list of matching cases. Narrow your search by adding a middle initial or date of birth if known. Searching by case number is faster and more precise. Case numbers in Clarke County follow a standard format. For example, a case number might look like “CL22000123-00” where CL stands for Clarke County, the next digits represent the year and sequence, and the final characters indicate the case type.
When searching by case number, enter the full number exactly as it appears on court documents. Omitting digits or adding extra characters prevents the system from finding the record.
Criminal and Traffic Case Information
The online system provides free access to criminal and traffic case information. You can see charges filed against a defendant, court dates and times, bond information, and final dispositions such as guilty, not guilty, or dismissed.
Traffic cases appear in the same database. Speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, and other moving violations are searchable. Paying a traffic ticket online is possible through the Virginia Court System payment portal.
What Information Is Public
- Case number and filing date
- Name of defendant or party
- Charges or cause of action
- Court dates and hearing results
- Final judgment or disposition
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
What Information Is Not Public Online
- Social security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Certain domestic violence protective order details
Circuit Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation
The Virginia Court System provides a fee calculator for Circuit Court civil filings. Visit Circuit Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation to determine the fees required when filing a civil case in Clarke County Circuit Court. This system calculates fees based on the amount of recovery sought in the case.
Filing fees in Circuit Court depend on the dollar amount claimed. Cases seeking less than $10,000 have lower fees. Cases seeking $100,000 or more have higher fees. The calculator gives you the exact amount before you file.
Real Property Records in Clarke County
The Clerk of Circuit Court in Clarke County is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records. These records include deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, and other documents affecting real estate titles. The recording office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To search property records, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (540) 955-5116. You can request copies of recorded documents. The office charges a fee for copying and certifying documents. Some property records may also be available through third-party online databases.
Berryville Town Court Information
The Town of Berryville is the county seat of Clarke County. Berryville municipal offices are located at 101 Chalmers Court, Suite A, Berryville, VA 22611. The town phone number is (540) 955-1099. Municipal court matters for Berryville are handled through the Clarke County court system. Parking tickets and minor town ordinance violations may be processed through the town rather than the county courts. Contact the Berryville town office for questions about municipal citations.
Contact, Local Details, and Map
The Clarke County Courthouse complex in Berryville, Virginia, houses the 26th Judicial Circuit Court and the General District Court divisions. The historic facility handles all civil, criminal, and traffic matters for the county, with separate clerk windows available for case processing and recordation services.
- District Court Address: 104 N. Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611
- Official Case Search: vacourts.gov (Virginia Courts Online Case Information System)
- County Court Portal: clarkecounty.gov (Clarke County Court System)
- Clerk of Circuit Court Phone: (540) 955-5116 | Fax: (540) 955-0284
- General District Court Phone: (540) 955-5128 | Fax: (540) 955-1195
- Operational Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday (Excluding State & County Holidays)
- Circuit Court Address: 102 N. Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611
Frequently Asked Questions
Clarke County Court serves residents, attorneys, and businesses in Berryville and the surrounding area. The court system includes Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. Each court handles different types of cases. This page answers common questions about case searches, payments, jury duty, and court locations. All information is current for 2026.
How do I search for Clarke County Court cases online?
You can look up Clarke County Circuit Court cases through the Virginia Court System online portal. The portal provides free access to criminal and traffic case information. Go to eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis to search by case number or name. For land records, wills, and judgments, the Clerk of Circuit Court offers a secure remote access site. You need a subscription to use that site. Contact Clerk April Wilkerson at (540) 955-5116 to get subscriber details. General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court records are not available through the same online portal. Call those courts directly for case information.
What are the hours and location for Clarke County Circuit Court?
Clarke County Circuit Court is at 102 N. Church Street in Berryville, VA 22611. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Recordation of documents ends at 3:30 PM each day. The phone number is (540) 955-5116. The fax number is (540) 955-0284. You can email Clerk April Wilkerson at afwilkerson@vacourts.gov. Parking is available near the courthouse. Security screening is required at the entrance. Do not bring weapons or large bags. Plan extra time for security checks during busy hours.
How can I pay Clarke County Court fines and costs online?
You can pay Clarke County Court fines, costs, and restitution through the Supreme Court of Virginia Online Services. Credit cards are accepted online only. A 4 percent convenience fee applies to all credit card payments. The Circuit Court office does not accept credit cards in person. At the office, you can pay with cash, check, or money order between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM weekdays. For General District Court payments, call (540) 955-5128 for instructions. Always keep your payment receipt as proof. If you miss a payment, contact the court immediately to avoid additional fees or a warrant.
What types of cases does Clarke County General District Court handle?
Clarke County General District Court handles traffic violations, minor criminal cases called misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings for serious crimes called felonies. The court also hears civil cases. If the claim is $4,500 or less, this court has exclusive authority. If the claim is between $4,500 and $15,000, both General District Court and Circuit Court can hear the case. Examples of civil cases include landlord-tenant disputes, contract arguments, and personal injury claims. The court is at 104 N. Church Street in Berryville. Clerk Julie Aemmer can be reached at (540) 955-5128. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fax number is (540) 955-1195.
How does Clarke County Court select jurors and what is the pay?
Clarke County Circuit Court selects jurors once a year by a three-panel committee. A list of active jurors is prepared each quarter. The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office calls people for jury duty and tells them the date, time, and place to appear. Jurors receive $50 per day. If you have a vacation, medical appointment, or work conflict, contact the Clerk’s Office at (540) 955-5116. The office tries to work with jurors on scheduling. If you miss your summons, call the court right away. Failure to appear can result in a fine or a bench warrant. Check your mail for jury summons notices.