Circuit Court Local Procedures - Criminal

CRIMINAL LOCAL PROCEDURES FOR Circuit Court of Alexandria - for attorneys and pro se litigants in criminal cases. Call Judges' Chambers at 703.746.4123 if you have questions.
Page updated on August 21, 2026 at 7:34 AM
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A. RECENT UPDATES TO CRIMINAL LOCAL PROCEDURES

Please note the following sections have recently been updated.

Section 3.B  (CW Day: Filing Deadlines) was updated to include "Deadlines for Specific Commonwealth Days" documents.  (9/22/2025)

 

1-A. BOND APPEALS ("Bond Motions")

updated  8/20/2026

 

A.   BOND APPEAL HEARING on a THURSDAY Commonwealth Day

  1. BOND APPEAL HEARINGS are held on any Commonwealth Day docket (Thursday at 10:00 a.m.), including First Thursday.

  2. SCHEDULING AND FILING DEADLINES for the CW Day docket are listed below. The filing deadline is advanced one day for each day the court is closed for a holiday between the filing deadline and the CW Day.

            Normal Filing Deadline:  Friday at 12:00 p.m. on the week prior to the hearing date.

             Allowable add-on motion deadline: Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. on the same week as the hearing date.

3.  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to be filed with the Clerk's office, a mandatory copy delivered to 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel. Note that best practice is for counsel to bring a proposed bond order to the hearing. The court does not prepare the bond order, nor is the judge always available for entry of the order after the hearing.

              (1)  Bond appeals DC370 Notice of Appeal-Criminal  

              (2)  CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER Form DC354

              (3)  PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  Docketing praecipe 

              (4)   Proposed Bond Order shall be brought to the bond hearing by defense counsel to facilitate the defendant’s quicker release if bond is granted. The proposed bond order shall include blank lines to be completed by the judge if the bond motion is granted. 

 

B.  BOND APPEAL HEARING ON A TUESDAY

Effective September 1, 2026, the Circuit Court will conduct bond hearings and appeals every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. 

1. SCHEDULING AND FILING DEADLINE: Friday at 12:00 p.m.

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to be filed with the Clerk's office, a mandatory copy delivered to 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel. Note that best practice is for counsel to bring a proposed bond order to the hearing. The court does not prepare the bond order, nor is the judge always available for entry of the order after the hearing.

              (1)  Bond appeals DC370 Notice of Appeal-Criminal  

              (2)  CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER Form DC354

              (3)  PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  Docketing praecipe 

              (4)   Proposed Bond Order shall be brought to the bond hearing by defense counsel to facilitate the defendant’s quicker release if bond is granted. The proposed bond order shall include blank lines to be completed by the judge if the bond motion is granted. 

 

C.   BOND APPEAL HEARING ON A DATE OTHER THAN TUESDAY OR THURSDAY

  1. Contact the opposing counsel for their availability for a hearing at 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m.
  2. Call a court administrator at 703.746.4123 for an agreed date. Telephones are answered 8:30am to 1:00pm, and 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
  3. SCHEDULING AND FILING DEADLINE: Two (2) days prior at 12:00 p.m.
  4. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to be filed with the Clerk's office, a mandatory copy delivered to 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel. Note that best practice is for counsel to bring a proposed bond order to the hearing. The court does not prepare the bond order, nor is the judge always available for entry of the order after the hearing.

              (1)  Bond appeals DC370 Notice of Appeal-Criminal  

              (2)  CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER Form DC354

              (3)  PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  Docketing praecipe 

              (4)   Proposed Bond Order shall be brought to the bond hearing by defense counsel to facilitate the defendant’s quicker release if bond is granted. The proposed bond order shall include blank lines to be completed by the judge if the bond motion is granted. 

 

1-B. BOND RECONSIDERATION HEARINGS

updated  8/14/2026

 

JUDGE'S PERMISSION.  Bond reconsideration hearings require a Judge's advance permission to docket.

  1. REQUEST PERMISSION by filing a written letter in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office (Room 307), delivering a copy to the 4th floor drop box and providing a copy to opposing counsel. The letter shall be addressed to the specific judge who previously denied bond. The letter shall include any new information to support the reconsideration request. Opposing counsel may file a response/opposition to the docketing request letter in Room 307, deliver a copy to the 4th floor drop box and provide a copy to opposing counsel.
  2. JUDGE’S DECISION will be conveyed to counsel by a court administrator. 

IF PERMISSION TO DOCKET IS GRANTED

  1. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS shall be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court, a mandatory copy delivered to the 4th floor drop box and a mandatory copy provided to opposing counsel.

    DOCKETING PRAECIPE    PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES   

    CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER   CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC354

    Proposed Bond Order shall be brought to the bond hearing by defense counsel to facilitate the defendant’s quicker release if bond is granted. The Court does not prepare the bond order, nor is the judge is always available to enter the bond order after leaving the bench. The proposed bond order shall include blank lines to be completed by the judge if the bond motion is granted. 

  2. FILING DEADLINES
    1. On a Commonwealth Day - Friday at 12:00 p.m. on the week prior to the CW Day (the deadline is advanced one day for each day the court is closed for a holiday between the filing deadline and the CW Day). 
      1. Allowable add-on for a CW Day docket:  No.  
    2. On a non-Thursday:  Filing deadline is 1:00 p.m. on the day prior to the hearing date.

 

2. CALENDARS - LIST OF AVAILABLE CRIMINAL TRIAL SLOTS

Update 082126

 

A.   CRIMINAL - LIST OF AVAILABLE CRIMINAL TRIAL SLOTS  

List of Available Criminal Trial Slots   updated/posted  08/21/26 at 8:30a.m.      (Next update: after 08/27/2026 Commonwealth Day)

B.   ANNUAL COURT CALENDAR is posted to the Civil Local Procedures portion of this website.

 

The list of available criminal trial slots is updated weekly and is effective for the next seven (7) days.

  • Double-booking of trial dates is not permitted.
  • To HOLD A TRIAL DATE in the Court's red docket book, counsel may call Judges' Chambers at 703.746.4123 or email the court administrators (to avoid double-booking of trial dates).
  • Counsel are encouraged to call Judges’ Chambers (703.746.4123) if additional trial slots are needed. Telephones are answered 8:30am to 1:00pm, and 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  Emails for the court administrators are included on the CIVIL local procedures in the “Contact Information” section. 
  • SCHEDULING GUIDANCE: Refer to "Felony Jury and Non-Jury" and "TMAD" sections of this website.
  • JURY TRIALS start on specific days of the week. Refer to Section 5-A.

 

3-A. COMMONWEALTH DAY - Regular CW Day and First Thursday

updated  8/14/2026

Call Judges' Chambers at 703.746.4123 if you have any questions.

There are 2 types of CW Day dockets (First Thursday CW Day and Regular CW Day).  All matters shall be scheduled for a CW Day docket or for a date-certain. 

FIRST THURSDAY COMMONWEALTH DAY is a short, 1 judge docket for time-sensitive, non-substantive matters (motions or bench trials) that are anticipated to last one (1) hour or less.  Only time-sensitive, non-substantive matters anticipated to last 1 hour or less shall be scheduled for a First Thursday CW Day docket. A criminal jury trial may start on First Thursday if space allows (refer to available criminal trial slots)

FILING DEADLINES are the same for both First Thursday and Regular CW Day. A deadline is advanced one day for each day the court is closed for a holiday.

      First Thursday filing deadline: Friday at 12:00 p.m. on the week prior to the hearing date

      First Thursday allowable add-on motion deadline: Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. on the same week as the hearing date

 

REGULAR COMMONWEALTH DAY  is for all matters lasting up to 2 hours, with 2 or 3 judges scheduled to sit (depending on the docket and carryover cases that are scheduled). Allowable add-on motions are noted in section 3-D below.

FILING DEADLINES are the same for both First Thursday and Regular CW Day. A deadline is advanced one day for each day the court is closed for a holiday.

      Regular CW Day filing deadline: Friday at 12:00 p.m. on the week prior to the hearing date

      Regular CW Day  allowable add-on motion deadline: Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. on the same week as the hearing date

NOTES:

  1. Counsel may agree to a shorter time frame within which to file motions. In such instances, a courtesy copy of the motion shall be delivered to Judges’ Chambers’ 4th floor drop box. If counsel are unable to agree, then, for good cause, counsel may seek leave of Court to file motions prior to the hearing.

  2. Witness Unavailable On a Thursday. If a witness is unavailable for a Motion on a Thursday CW Day, or for other good cause, counsel may request the motion be heard on a non-Thursday.

     

3-B. COMMONWEALTH DAY - FILING DEADLINES

 updated  8/14/2026

NOTE: All deadlines are advanced by one day for each day the court is closed for holidays between the filing deadline date and the hearing date.

FIRST THURSDAY AND REGULAR COMMONWEALTH DAY deadlines

  1. Normal deadlines
    1. Motion (except Constitutional or substantive motions):  Deadline is Friday at 12:00 p.m. on the week prior to the hearing date.
    2. Response:  Deadline is Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. on the same week as the hearing date.
  2. Allowable add-on motions (refer to 3-D for list of allowable add-on motions)
    1. Motion:  Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. on the same week as the hearing date.

CONSTITUTIONAL OR SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS

  1. Normal deadlines
    1. Motion:  Deadline is Friday at 12:00 p.m. two (2) weeks prior to the hearing date. 
    2. Response:  Deadline is Friday at 12:00 p.m. one (1) week prior to the hearing date. 
  2. Allowable add-on motions.  Constitutional or substantive motions may not be added to any CW Day docket once the draft docket is published on Friday preceding the CW Day.

LIST OF SPECIFIC CW DAYS, FILING DEADLINES, and DOCKET PUBLICATION DATES

           A.     July 2026 to September 2026 - document posted on 3/20/2026

          B.     October 2026 to December 2026 - document posted on 7/21/26 

 

3-C. COMMONWEALTH DAY - DOCKET PUBLICATION 

 (updated 3/31/2026)

  1. Draft docket is published on Friday (one week prior to the CW Day).
  2. Final docket is published on Wednesday (one day prior to the CW Day).

3-D.    COMMONWEALTH DAY -  MOTIONS/MATTERS HEARD ON A CW DAY

Updated 8/14/2026

The guidance below provides (a) when a matter may be scheduled [First Thursday or Regular CW Day]; (b) if is the matter is an allowable add-on motion. 

To be included on the published docket, all of the required documents shall be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court, a mandatory copy delivered to the 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel prior to the filing deadline. (Refer to Section 3-E).

 

BOND APPEAL MOTION

        Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

        Allowable add-on? Yes

COMPETENCY EVALUATION / HEARING

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

            Allowable add-on? No

CONSTITUTIONAL OR SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS  (see filing deadlines above)

       Allowed on First Thursday?  No

       Allowable add-on? No

CONTINUANCE MOTION

      Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

      Allowable add-on? Yes

CONTINUANCE MOTION. Continuance requests for criminal trials are granted by permission of a Judge upon good cause. Continuance orders for criminal trials will not be entered unless a continuance motion has been heard by a judge on a CW Day docket. The continuance motion shall clearly state the reason for the continuance request and whether opposing counsel agrees or objects to the continuance request. Prior to the hearing date, counsel shall consult the list of available criminal trial slots and discuss new trial dates with opposing counsel. The Defendant shall be transported for the continuance hearing.

         Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

        Allowable add-on? Yes

COUNSEL - NOTE COUNSEL; SUBSTITUTE COUNSEL; WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL

                 Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

                 Allowable add-on? Yes

DEFERRED DISPOSITION

            Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

              Allowable add-on? No

EXPERT FUNDS 

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

          Allowable add-on? Yes

FURLOUGH

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

          Allowable add-on? Yes

JURY ELECTION or JURY WAIVER shall be signed by the Defendant in court at least four (4) weeks prior to the trial date).

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

           Allowable add-on? Yes

MOTION IN LIMINE

          Allowed on First Thursday?  No, unless this is the last Thursday prior to the trial date

            Allowable add-on? No

PLEA DISPOSITION

           Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

           Allowable add-on? Yes

PROBATION VIOLATION

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes, only if uncontested

           Allowable add-on? Yes, only if resolved

RECONSIDERATION

          Allowed on First Thursday?  No

           Allowable add-on? Yes, only with judge’s permission

RESTITUTION REVIEW

      Allowed on First Thursday?  All restitution review hearings shall be scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. If possible, all restitution review hearings will be held in one courtroom and called at the start of the docket.

       Allowable add-on? No.

       Continuance requests. If a defendant has made a required payment prior to the scheduled court date and defendant does not wish to appear at the restitution review hearing, counsel shall file an agreed order removing and/or continuing the restitution review hearing to another month prior to the docketing deadline. File the proposed order in Room 307, deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box, and provide a copy to opposing counsel.

SET-DATE HEARING

          Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

          Allowable add-on? Yes

          Refer to “Set Date” section of Local Procedures-Criminal on website

SHOW CAUSE HEARING

             Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

              Allowable add-on? No

SPEEDY TRIAL WAIVER 

        Allowed on First Thursday?  Yes

       Allowable add-on? Yes

3-E. COMMONWEALTH DAY - REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO SCHEDULE

(updated 3/31/2026) 

File the original in Room 307, deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box and provide a copy to opposing counsel

  1. Motion
  2. PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES 
  3. CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC354 (if Defendant is is custody) 

4. COPIES TO JUDGES' CHAMBERS' 4th floor drop box

updated 3/31/2026

A mandatory copy of all notices, motions, responses, etc. is required to be delivered to the 4th floor drop box when the document is filed in Room 307. 

A copy of the document shall also be provided to opposing counsel.

 

5-A. FELONY TRIALS – SCHEDULING A TRIAL DATE

Updated 8/14/2026

 

 JURY TRIAL for a felony

  1. MANDATORY JURY TRIAL -  A jury trial is mandatory in all criminal trials unless waived by the defendant, the prosecutor, and the Court (see Prosecution in Alexandria's Courts for additional information).
  2. AVAILABLE TRIAL SLOTS. Refer to  “Calendars” section for available trial slots and “Days of Week to Start a Felony Trial”.
  3. HOW MANY DAYS?  Counsel shall include time needed for voir dire and jury deliberations when estimating the number of days needed to try the case.

 

JURY TRIALS START ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS ONLY

  1.  MONDAY (all Mondays):   2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum

  2.  TUESDAY

    1.  (except for 3rd Tuesday of month): 2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum
    2. Tuesdays (3rd Tuesday of the month):  Traffic and Misdemeanor Appeals (TMAD) docket. Reserved for TMAD jury trials lasting up to 3 hours. No new felony jury trials may start on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

            Wednesdays (if not a civil Motions Day).  2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum

  3.  WEDNESDAY
    1.  (if a civil Motions Day).  No new criminal jury trials may begin. A maximum of 2 criminal jury trials may carryover to this Wednesday.
    2. (not a civil Motions Day). 2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum
  4.    THURSDAY
    1.  (if First Thursday). 2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum
    2.  (if Regular CW Day). No new criminal jury trials may begin. A maximum of 1 criminal jury trial may carryover to this day.  
  5. FRIDAY
    1.  2 new or carryover criminal trial slots maximum for felony jury trials.  If those 2 slots are not used, 
      1. Motion lasting over 2 hours may be scheduled; or

      2. A misdemeanor jury trial may be scheduled only if all of the following conditions are met:  (1) scheduled 6 weeks in advance to allow time for juror summonses to be issued; (2) Maximum of 3 witnesses total for both sides; (3) maximum of 3 hours for evidence presentation; and (4) jury deliberations estimated to start no later than 1:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter.

                              

NON-JURY TRIAL  for a felony case

Counsel shall schedule the non-jury trial based on the time needed to try the case.

  1.  3 HOURS OR LESS shall be scheduled on a Regular CW Day (not First Thursday) at 10:00 a.m. 
  2. 3 HOURS OR MORE shall be scheduled on a date-certain on a non-Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Refer to “Calendars” section for available trial slots and “Days of Week to Start a Felony Trial”.

         

SET-DATE HEARING. Refer to “Set-Date” section of this website.    

   

5-B. FELONY TRIALS

updated 8/17/2026

 

PRIOR TO THE TRIAL DATE. The following shall occur prior to a felony trial date

  1. JURY ELECTION or JURY WAIVER FORM. The jury election or jury waiver form must be signed by the Defendant in court. A jury election/waiver hearing may be scheduled on any CW Day, including First Thursday. The deadline for signing the form is four (4) weeks prior to the trial date.
  2. JURY INSTRUCTIONS.  Counsel shall prepare and exchange jury instructions with opposing counsel prior to the start of trial.
  3. MOTIONS IN LIMINE requiring more than 5 minutes of argument shall be duly noticed and heard on a Regular CW Day prior to the trial date, absent leave of court. The motion in limine may be scheduled on a First Thursday only if the trial date is occurring prior to the next Regular CW Day docket. All motions in limine to be heard on the day of trial shall be properly noticed.

 

ON THE DAY OF TRIAL

  1.  TRIAL START TIME. Trial starts at 10:00 a.m. on the first day of trial. Court may start earlier than 10:00 a.m. on subsequent days of trial at the Court’s discretion. Counsel and witnesses shall arrange their schedules accordingly.
  2. WITNESS AVAILABILITY FOR MULTIPLE DAY TRIALS. Counsel shall make every effort to have their witnesses available and ready to testify to avoid unnecessary delays, recessing early or starting late. Requests to stagger witnesses shall be made at least two days prior to the start of the trial and will be granted for good cause. 
    1. Prepare a letter requesting permission to stagger witnesses, include the reason for the request and a proposed witness schedule. File the request in Room 307, deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box and provide a copy to opposing counsel. 
    2. Counsel will be contacted with the Judge’s decision and if a judicial conference call is necessary to discuss the request.

6. FORMS IN CRIMINAL CASES

Updated 3/31/2026

 

  1. Bond appeals - Form DC370.  File the form in the GDC (2nd floor) or JDR (1st floor) Clerk's office. Provide a courtesy copy to opposing counsel and deliver a MANDATORY copy to Judges' Chambers' 4th floor drop box.
  2. Proposed Bond Order (required to be brought to the bond hearing by the defense counsel.)  The proposed bond order shall include blank lines to be completed by the judge if the bond motion is granted. Judges are not always available after the hearing, which may result in a delay of the bond order being entered.  Counsel is responsible for preparing the proposed bond order (and not the courtroom clerk).  Counsel are strongly encouraged to bring a proposed bond order to hearing because (a) the judge may not be available to enter the order after leaving the bench; and (2) it is counsel's responsibility to do so (and not the courtroom clerk). 
  3. CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER- Form DC354.  Defense counsel is required to file this form in Room 307 if the defendant is in custody. Provide a courtesy copy to opposing counsel and deliver a MANDATORY copy to Judges' Chambers' 4th floor drop box.
  4. PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES. 
    1. A docketing praecipe is mandatory to schedule all criminal matters in Alexandria Circuit Court.
    2. File the mandatory praecipe in Room 307, deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box and provide a copy to opposing counsel prior to the deadline.

7. GRAND JURY

updated  4/17/2026

A.      SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH.  A Grand Jury is impaneled on the second Monday of every month at 9:00 a.m., except in May, when the schedule may change due to the Judicial Conference. Specific dates of the Grand Jury are included on the Circuit Court’s Annual Calendar (see "Calendars" section). Defense counsel is contacted by the Commonwealth's Attorney after the Grand Jury indicts a defendant. All matters returned by the Grand Jury will appear on the set-date docket on the following Thursday (seven or eight  days after the Grand Jury) unless counsel have agreed on a trial date, date for disposition by plea, or otherwise scheduled the matter for a court event.

B.      DEFENSE COUNSEL INSTRUCTIONS. Defense counsel shall immediately contact the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office at 703.746.4100 and speak with the case-prosecutor to schedule the next court event.

C.     JURY TRIALS ARE MANDATORY in all criminal trials unless waived by the defendant, the prosecutor, and the Court.  See Prosecution in Alexandria's Courts for additional information. 

D.    LIST OF AVAILABLE CRIMINAL TRIAL SLOTS is posted weekly (see “Calendar” section).

8. JURY INFORMATION

updated  3/31/2026

  1. JURY LISTS. Counsel shall refer to the Civil Local Procedure section of this website for guidance on how to obtain the list of jurors summonsed for the week (from the Clerk of Circuit Court) or the jury list for a specific trial on the morning of trial (from the jury coordinator in the courtroom immediately prior to the start of trial).
  2. REMOVING A JURY TRIAL from the docket.  Counsel shall make every effort to contact Judges' Chambers if jurors for their trial do not need to report. Call Judges' Chambers at 703.746.4123 (telephones are answered from 8:30am to 1:00pm, and 2:00pm to 4:00pm). After hours (i.e., on a weekend, email the court administrators and leave a voicemail for the jury coordinator at 703.746.4347.
    1. If a disposition by plea is scheduled; or
    2. If a judge agrees to a motion to remove the jury and proceed with a bench trial; or
    3. A judge has granted counsel's motion for continuance; or 

    4. The Commonwealth intends to nolle prosequi the charge(s).

       

9. MISDEMEANOR and TRAFFIC APPEAL CASES - See TMAD sections

Added 4/16/2025

 

Refer to the "TMAD" sections of this website for scheduling guidance, filing deadlines, etc.

10. MOTIONS

updated 4/15/2025

Refer to "COMMONWEALTH DAY -  MOTIONS HEARD ON A CW DAY" section.

11. ORDERS

Updated  3/31/2026

  1. BOND APPEAL ORDERS shall be brought to the hearing by the defense counsel. To avoid delay, it is best practices for counsel to bring a draft order to the courtroom for entry during the bond hearing as the judge is not always available the hearing to enter the order.  Also be advised that Judges' Chambers and the Clerk's Offices both close at 4:00pm.
  2. EMERGENCY ORDERS -- including transport orders for the next day's docket -- requiring immediate signature must be filed with the Clerk of Court (Room 307), and then walked to Judges' Chambers for entry by a judge.
  3. PROPOSED ORDERS. All proposed orders are filed in the Clerk's office (Room 307).  The Clerk's office will scan and send the order to Judges' Chambers for entry. After a judge has entered the order, the order will be returned to the Clerk's office for processing. Copies of entered orders are available in the Clerk's office.
  4. TRANSPORT ORDERS shall be filed at least two (2) days in advance of the hearing if possible.  Transport orders for the next day's docket must be filed and date-stamped in the Clerk's office, and then walked to Judges' Chambers for entry by a judge.

12. RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS

Updated 8/17/2026

All reconsideration requests require a judge’s prior permission before the matter may be docketed.

 

BOND RECONSIDERATIONS.  Refer to “Bond Appeals” section.

OTHER RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS.

  1. WRITTEN REQUEST shall be prepared to the appropriate judge (the judge that originally heard the matter). The written request shall include specific new information to support the reconsideration request. 
  2. FILE THE WRITTEN REQUEST with the Clerk of Circuit Court; deliver a copy to the 4th floor drop box; and provide a copy to opposing counsel.
  3. WRITTEN OBJECTION TO DOCKETING REQUEST.  Opposing counsel may file a written objection with the Clerk of Circuit Court; deliver a copy to the 4th floor drop box; and provide a copy to opposing counsel.
  4. JUDGE’S DECISION.  Counsel will be notified by a court administrator of the judge’s decision. 
  5. DOCKET THE RECONSIDERATION.  If permission to docket is granted, counsel shall file the following documents.
    1.  PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES docketing praecipe.  File the original with the Clerk of Circuit Court; deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box; and provide a copy to opposing counsel prior to the filing deadline.
    2. CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC35 for all in-custody defendants.  File the original with the Clerk of Circuit Court; and deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box.

13. RESTITUTION REVIEW HEARINGS

updated 4/1/2026

 

Refer to "COMMONWEALTH DAY -  MOTIONS HEARD ON A CW DAY" section.

14. SET-DATE HEARING

updated 8/17/2026

 

SET-DATE HEARINGS are docketed for 10:00 a.m. on any Thursday (First Thursday or Regular CW Day docket).  Set-date hearings are scheduled by the prosecutor after a Grand Jury indictment is issued. The set-date hearing will be held 7 to 8 days after the indictment unless an trial date has been agreed upon by all counsel, or a plea disposition or other court event has been scheduled.

PRIOR TO THE SET-DATE HEARING

  1. Agreed trial date. Call a court administrator at 703.746.4123 to reserve the trial date prior to the set-date hearing and waive defense attorney’s presence at the set-date hearing.
  2. List of available criminal trial slots is updated weekly and is posted in the “Calendar” section of this website. 
  3. Counsel shall communicate with opposing counsel and make every effort to agree to a trial date within 120 days from the date of indictment for felony trials. 

   

ON THE MORNING OF THE SET-DATE HEARING

9:45 a.m.    Counsel shall arrive early (if necessary) to meet with a court administrator in the courtroom for last-minute set-date discussions (available trial slots, etc.)

10:00 a.m.  Court hearings begin after the presiding judge enters the courtroom. All counsel are expected to be in the courtroom and ready to proceed. Late arrivals are strongly discouraged.

At the set-date hearing

 A.   AGREED TRIAL DATE.  The prosecutor advises the Court of the agreed trial date, and if the trial will be jury or non-jury.

 B.  NO AGREED TRIAL DATE. Both counsel are required to appear at the set-date hearing to select a trial date or have the set-date hearing continued to the next Commonwealth Day.

 C.  SPEEDY TRIAL ISSUE. Defense counsel and prosecutor argue the speedy trial issue in-person at the set-date hearing. 

DOCKETING GUIDANCE for a set-date hearing

  1. Filing deadline:  Friday at 12:00 p.m. or Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

  2. Required documents include the following

        PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  docketing praecipe

        CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC354 (required for all in-custody defendants)

  3. All required documents shall be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court. A mandatory copy shall be delivered to the 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel.

 

15. SHOW CAUSE HEARINGS

updated  4/1/2026

 

Refer to "COMMONWEALTH DAY -  MOTIONS HEARD ON A CW DAY" section.

16. START TIMES

updated  8/17/2026

.  

COMMONWEALTH DAY - FIRST THURSDAY AND REGULAR CW DAY DOCKETS 

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. 

All counsel and defendants are expected to be in the courtroom ready to begin on-time for all court hearings and trials. Late arrivals are strongly discouraged.

9:45 a.m. Counsel shall arrive early (if necessary) to meet with a court administrator in the courtroom for last-minute set-date discussions (available trial slots, etc.)

10:00 a.m.  The presiding judge enters the courtroom and court hearings begin. 

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") M

9:00 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month for all matters, including jury trials.

 

17-A. TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET (TMAD) - GENERAL INFO

updated 8/17/2026

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") 

TMAD is on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. and is for all post-conviction appeals from General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.: Class I and II (jailable offenses), and Class III and IV (non‑jailable offenses).

Matters on the TMAD docket include

  1. Non-jury trials lasting up to 3 hours
  2. Jury trials – lasting up to 3 hours; if scheduled at least 6 weeks in advance.
  3. All other matters.

17-B. TMAD CASES- APPEAL PROCESS IN BRIEF

Updated 8/17/2026

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") 

APPEAL PROCESS IN BRIEF 

  1. APPEAL IS NOTED.  The Defendant (or counsel) files an appeal in the GDC or JDR Clerk's office prior to the appeal deadline.  
  2. NEXT COURT DATE. Notice of Appeal: Criminal (Form DC370) is prepared by the GDC or JDR Clerk of Court. Form DC370 includes the date of the next court date, which will be held in a courtroom on the 4th floor of the courthouse. The next court date will be a set-date hearing (for jailable offenses) or a non-jury trial date (for non-jailable offenses). The defendant signs Form DC370 and promises to appear for the next court date as noted on Form DC370.
  3. WITHDRAWAL OF APPEAL. The Defendant may withdraw the appeal within ten days by going to the GDC or JDR Clerk’s office and signing the proper documentation. If the file has already been sent to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, the defendant shall file an Order Withdrawing Appeal with the Clerk of Circuit Court. 
  4. FILE IS SENT TO THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT. After 10 days if the appeal is not withdrawn, the GDC or JDR Clerk’s office sends the file to the Clerk of Circuit Court. 
  5. THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT assigns a Circuit Court case number to the file and dockets the case for the next court event as noted on Form DC370. 
  6. NEXT COURT DATE is held on the 4th floor of the courthouse and is attended in-person by the Defendant and counsel.

 

17-C. TMAD CASES - FILING DEADLINE AND DOCKET PUBLICATION

updated 8/17/2026

 

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") 

FILING DEADLINE AND DOCKET PUBLICATION 

  1. DOCKETING DEADLINE is Thursday at 12:00 p.m. preceding the TMAD date. The deadline is advanced one day for each day the court is closed for a holiday between the deadline date and the TMAD date.

2.  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

         (a)   PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  docketing praecipe

         (b)    CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC354 (required for all in-custody defendants)

3.  DOCUMENTS ARE FILED with the Clerk of Circuit Court with a mandatory copy delivered to the 4th floor drop box and a copy provided to opposing counsel.

4.  TMAD DOCKET PUBLICATION is by Judges' Chambers on Friday prior to the TMAD date. 

17-D. TMAD CASES - SET-DATE HEARINGS

updated 8/17/2026

 

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") 

TMAD SET-DATE HEARINGS are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. 

SET-DATE SCHEDULING GUIDANCE for TMAD cases

 

90 DAYS FROM THE APPEAL DATE. Absent leave of court, all TMAD trials shall be set within 90 days from the appeal date. 

PRIOR TO THE SET-DATE HEARING. 

Call a court administrator at 703.746.4123 to reserve the trial date prior to the set-date hearing and waive defense attorney’s presence at the set-date hearing. The trial date shall be within 90 days from the date the appeal was noted. 

AT THE SET-DATE HEARING

Absent leave of court, all TMAD trials shall be set within 90 days from the appeal date. Defense counsel's appearance at the set-date hearing is excused if an agreed trial date within 90 days from the appeal date is reached prior to the set-date hearing and a consent order setting the trial date is filed prior to the set-date hearing.

9:00 a.m.   Court hearings begin after the presiding judge enters the courtroom. All counsel are expected to be in the courtroom and ready to proceed. Late arrivals are strongly discouraged.

     1.  AGREED TRIAL DATE WITHIN 90 DAYS. Defense counsel's appearance at the set-date hearing is excused if an agreed trial date within 90 days from the appeal date is reached prior to the set-date hearing and a consent order setting the trial date is filed prior to the set-date hearing. The prosecutor will advise the judge of the agreed trial date when the judge calls the case. 

     2.    AGREED TRIAL DATE OUTSIDE OF 90 DAYS. Both counsel shall appear at the set-date hearing to obtain the Court’s permission to schedule the trial date more than 90 days from the appeal date.  

     3.  NO AGREEMENT AS TO TRIAL DATE.  Both counsel are required to appear at the set-date hearing to select a trial date or have the set-date hearing continued to the next Commonwealth Day.

     4.  SPEEDY TRIAL ISSUE. Defense counsel and prosecutor argue the speedy trial issue in-person at the set-date hearing. 

TMAD JURY TRIALS - SCHEDULING GUIDANCE

  1. On a TMAD date on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.  
    1. Scheduled at least six (6) weeks in advance to allow time to issue juror summons. 
    2. The list of available trial slots is posted in the “Calendar” section of this website. Up to 6 jury trials may be scheduled for each TMAD docket. The number of available TMAD jury trial slots will be reduced by one for each carryover criminal trial. 
    3. Communicate with opposing counsel and make every effort to agree to a trial date within 120 days from the date of indictment for felony trials. 
    4. Agreed trial date. Call a court administrator at 703.746.4123 to reserve the trial date prior to the set-date hearing. Defense attorney’s presence at the set-date hearing is waived. 

2. On a Friday if a criminal trial slot is available and if all of the additional conditions are met.

          a.  Maximum of 3 total witnesses total for both sides; 

          b.  Maximum of 3 hours for evidence presentation;  and 

          c.  Jury deliberations estimated to start no later than 1:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter.  

TMAD NON-JURY TRIALS - SCHEDULING GUIDANCE

  1.   If 3 hours or less: On a TMAD date (3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.). If the trial is estimated to last 3 hours or less, the non-jury trial will go forward on the date specified on Form DC370.

   2.  If 3 hours or more:  On a non-TMAD date. If the trial is estimated to last 3 hours or more, the non-jury trial will not go forward on the date specified on Form DC370 if the trial is estimated to last 3 hours or more. Counsel shall schedule a set-date hearing for a date prior to the trial date. The list of available trial slots is posted in the “Calendar” section of this website. Communicate with opposing counsel and make every effort to agree to a trial date within 120 days from the date of indictment for felony trials. For an agreed trial date: call a court administrator at 703.746.4123 to reserve the trial date prior to the set-date hearing. Defense attorney’s presence at the set-date hearing is waived.

17-E. TMAD CASES

updated 8/17/2026

TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANOR APPEALS DOCKET ("TMAD") CASES

 PRIOR TO TRIAL DATE

  1. AT LEAST 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO TRIAL DATE - JURY ELECTION/WAIVER HEARING. The jury election (or jury waiver) form must be signed by the Defendant in person at least four (4) weeks prior to the trial date. Schedule the jury election/waiver hearing for any CW Day (Thursday at 10:00 a.m.) or on a TMAD docket (9:00 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month).

  2. FOR JURY TRIALS NOT EXPECTED TO GO FORWARD.  Counsel shall make every effort to contact Judges' Chambers if jurors for their trial do not need to report. Call Judges' Chambers at 703.746.4123 (telephones are answered from 8:30am to 1:00pm, and 2:00pm to 4:00pm). After hours (i.e., on a weekend, email the court administrators and leave a voicemail for the jury coordinator at 703.746.4347.

       A.  If a disposition by plea is scheduled; or

       B. If a judge agrees to a motion to remove the jury and proceed with a bench trial; or

       C. A judge has granted counsel's motion for continuance; or 

       D. The Commonwealth intends to nolle prosequi the charge(s).

TMAD DOCKET - JURY TRIALS

  • JURY TRIALS will be assigned to a judge on the published docket in the order on which the cases were docketed. 
  • The number of TMAD jury trials going forward will be determined by the number of available judges for each TMAD docket. 
  • Counsel for TMAD jury trials will be contacted as to the status prior to the TMAD date. 
  • All TMAD jury trials shall remain on the docket but will be called in the order in which the jury trial was docketed, unless good cause requires a different order. Any TMAD jury trial not going forward will be continued.

17-F. TMAD CASES - CONTINUANCE REQUESTS

updated 8/17/2026

 

Deadline to request agreed continuance:  Thursday at 12:00 p.m. prior to the TMAD date. The deadline is advanced one day for each day the Court is closed between the deadline and the TMAD. (The TMAD docket is published on Friday.)

The person requesting the continuance shall follow the guidance below to request a continuance of a case on the TMAD docket.

  1. Call the prosecutor at 703.746.4100 to request their position on the continuance request (does the prosecutor object or agree to the continuance request). If granted, the case will be assigned to a new trial date on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. 
  2. Prepare a written request for continuance that clearly states the prosecutor's position (agreement or objection).

For an agreed continuance - a continuance hearing does not have to be docketed.

  1. Required documents include 
    1. Motion to continue that clearly states the reason for the continuance and that opposing counsel agrees to the continuance.
    2. Proposed order to grant the continuance request that is signed by both the Defendant and the prosecutor. The prosecutor will assist in preparing an appropriate order. 
  2. File the required documents with the Clerk of Circuit Court. Deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box and provide a copy to the Commonwealth's Attorney's office. 

For an opposed continuance. A hearing shall be scheduled if the prosecutor objects the continuance request. The hearing will be held on a CW Day (Thursday at 10:00 a.m.) prior to the trial date.

DOCKETING DEADLINE FOR A HEARING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY is Friday at 12:00 p.m. preceding the Thursday hearing; or Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. on the same week as CW Day.

 1. Defendant's required documents include 

      a. Motion to continue that clearly states the reason for the continuance and that opposing counsel objects to the continuance.

     b.  Proposed order to grant or deny the continuance request. The Clerk's office will prepare the order only if the hearing is held on a CW Day or a TMAD day.

      c.   PRAECIPE-CRIMINAL CASES  docketing praecipe

      d.   CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER DC354 if the defendant is in custody.     

2.  Prosecutor's required documents include

     a.  Written objection

3.  File the required documents with the Clerk of Circuit Court; deliver a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box; and to opposing counsel.

 

18. TRANSPORT OF IN-CUSTODY DEFENDANTS

Updated 3/31/2026

 

Effective 9/1/2022, all in-custody defendants will be transported for court hearings/trials.

  1.  CUSTODIAL TRANSPORTATION ORDER  Form DC354. Counsel is required to file Form DC354 in Room 307, with a mandatory copy to the 4th floor drop box and opposing counsel. 
  2. If transport is not required (to cancel transportation), counsel shall email the following (one email with copies to all 3 departments/persons is sufficient)
    1. Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO) Records Department at asorecords@alexandriava.gov;
    2. ASO Transportation Division at  asotransports@alexandriava.gov; and 
    3. Commonwealth’s Attorney or opposing counsel.

19. VOUCHERS FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL IN CRIMINAL CASES

Updated   3/31/2026

 

ALL VOUCHERS shall be filed in Room 307 for approval by a judge.

  1.  VOUCHERS FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL. The attorney who accepts criminal cases on a court-appointed basis shall complete the voucher and file it in the Clerk's office for approval by a judge. The voucher shall be completely filled out (no blank lines). The voucher must include the “in court” and “out of court” time, the statutory fee amount requested and any fee waiver that is sought.
  2. VOUCHERS FOR INDIVIDUALS HIRED BY COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL. The court-appointed counsel shall be responsible for having those persons (private investigators, mental health experts, etc.) submit complete and properly filled‑out payment vouchers to the Clerk of Circuit Court for approval by a Circuit Court judge.