County Courts

Roanoke County Circuit Court

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for recording deeds and other real estate-related documents, issuing marriage licenses, processing divorces and name changes, handling probate and estate matters and maintaining court records and other records as provided by law.

The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction in all criminal cases involving possible sentences to the state penitentiary and in all civil cases where claims exceed $15,000. The Circuit Court has concurrent (shared) original jurisdiction with the general district court in civil cases involving claims between $4,500 and $15,000. The Clerk of the Roanoke County Circuit Court can be reached at 540-387-6205.

Further information is available on the Roanoke County Circuit Court website.

Roanoke County General District Court

In civil cases, the General District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction in cases involving $4,500 or less, and in claims for recovery of possession of personal property or a rented premises. The General District Court has concurrent (shared) original jurisdiction with the Circuit Court when the amount claimed is between $4,500 and $15,000. In criminal and traffic cases, the General District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and violations of ordinances, laws and bylaws of the county of Roanoke. The court also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases. The court has jurisdiction over all traffic infractions, except those involving juveniles.

District courts do not conduct jury trials; all cases are heard by a judge. Jury trials are held only in Circuit Court, as provided by the Virginia Constitution. Decisions of the General District Court may be appealed to the Circuit Court where they are tried as new cases. The Clerk of the Roanoke County District Court can be reached at 540-387-6168.

Further information is available on the Roanoke County District Court website.

Roanoke County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has jurisdiction over practically all matters affecting the family other than divorce and adoption. The court has original jurisdiction over all charges against juveniles. A special ceremony is held by a judge of this court to present juveniles with their permanent operator's license. Abuse or neglect of a child, custody, visitation and child support matters are heard in this court as well as domestic violence issues and other issues involving family members.

In an effort to address the issue of family violence, an adult charged with certain domestic violence offenses may be placed in the Family Violence Program. The Clerk of the Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court can be reached at 540-387-6160.

Further information is available on the Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court website.

Roanoke County Magistrate's Office

Service at the Roanoke County Magistrate's Office is generally available 24 hours a day. The Magistrate's Office can assist with filing protective orders, warrants, emergency custody orders for mental health evaluation and bail hearings. The Magistrate's office is located at the Roanoke County/Salem Jail. For more information, contact the Magistrate's Office at: 

Roanoke County/Salem Jail
401 East Main Street Salem, VA 24153

Phone: 540-387-6092