General District Court

The General District Court has original jurisdiction in all misdemeanors (fines up to $2,500 or sentences up to twelve months in jail, or both); jurisdiction over preliminary hearings in felonies; jurisdiction over requests for protective orders not involving intimate partners or family/household members; original and exclusive jurisdiction in civil cases involving $4,500 or less; and generally, concurrent jurisdiction with the 18th Circuit Court in claims involving $4,500 but not exceeding $50,000. There are limited types of civil matters to which the jurisdictional limits do not apply. The Court sits without a jury.
Page updated on August 7, 2026 at 1:28 PM
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Contact Information and Hours

Photo of Courthouse

Address:
Franklin P. Backus Courthouse
520 King Street
Second Floor
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 320489
Alexandria, VA 22320-4489

Phone:
Traffic (703) 746-4041
Criminal (703) 746-4030
Civil (703) 746-4021

Fax:
(703) 683-7752

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Closed during state holidays

The Court also handles traffic and criminal cases, and preliminary hearings for any individual charged with a felony to determine if there is "probable cause." If "probable cause" is established, the accused is bound over to the Grand Jury. For information on traffic cases, call 703.746.4041; for civil cases, call 703.746.4021; and for criminal cases, call 703.746.4030. 

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