Clerk of the Circuit Court

Our aim is to assure that disputes are resolved justly, promptly, and economically through a court system unified in its structures and administration.

Court Administration

• The administrative function of the Clerk’s Office handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000. It shares authority with the General District Court to hear matters involving claims between $4,500 and $25,000; family matters such as divorce and child custody issues; criminal cases; felonies and misdemeanors. Circuit Court partners with the Stafford Sheriff’s Office, the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and Circuit Court judges from arrest to conviction. The Clerk’s Office has maintained the status quo. It has provided the same quality of service to the public and the other departments, such as Victim Witness, Probation and Parole, Virginia State Police, Department of Corrections. Every one of these departments has grown, and its workload has increased. Circuit Court also hears appeals cases from General District Court. Juvenile and Domestic Court prepares appeals for Circuit Court decisions to the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Virginia. Collects fines, cost and restitution awarded in Circuit Court cases.

Jury Management

• The Clerk’s Office manages jury operations for the courts. It is responsible for jury questionnaires to establish a qualified jury pool, issue summons for dates of appearance, prepare lists for attorneys and judges, summons grand jurors and special grand jurors as needed.

Probate Judge

• Circuit Court is granted judicial power for the probate of wills, similar to probate judges in many other jurisdictions. When a last will and testament is presented to the Clerk’s office for probate of an estate, authentication of the will is verified, a legal appointment of an executor or administrator for the estate is made, and legal documents to handle the estate are prepared. The Clerk’s Office collects all applicable estate taxes for the commonwealth and the county.

Land Records

• The Clerk’s Office is responsible for collecting the recording taxes and fees for the recordation of deeds, trust, plats, judgments, financing statements, etc. The Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining all land records of the County since the inception of the County and for ensuring adequate public access to these records.

Personnel

• 4.5% Pay Scale Adjustment
• 2.0% Salary Increase

• Restore FY21 budget funding reductions (COVID)

• Work and communicate with other offices and agencies to solve the day-to-day operations in this tight economic time.
• Continue to offer our services to the best of our ability, provide the best service we can, and treat all with the respect they deserve.