Fairfax Circuit Court

19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia

Circuit Courts Informational Pamphlet

Judges

• Hon. Penney S. Azcarate, Presiding Judge, Chief Judge
• Hon. Randy I. Bellows, Presiding Judge
• Hon. David Bernhard, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Patrick M Blanch, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Dontae L. Bugg, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Manuel A. Capsalis, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Michael F. Devine, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Jonathan D. Frieden, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Richard E. Gardiner, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Brett A. Kassabian, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Christie Ann Leary, Presiding Judge
• Hon. David A. Oblon, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Tania M.L. Saylor, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Stephen C. Shannon, Presiding Judge
• Hon. John M. Tran, Presiding Judge

Terms of Court and General Information

• Court convenes: Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m.
• --Criminal Motions - Friday 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
• --Civil Motions - Friday 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
• Arraignments: Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m., & Fri., 9:00 a.m.
• Term Begins: 3rd Monday of every odd month (Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.; except if it's a holiday, then it would be the 3rd Tues. of the month.)
• Grand Juries:
• --Regular Grand Jury: 3rd Monday of every odd month except when Monday is a holiday, then Grand Jury would be on a Tuesday.
• --Interim Grand Jury: 3rd Monday of every even month except when Monday is a holiday, then Grand Jury would be on a Tuesday.
• Grand Jury meets the 3rd Monday of every odd-numbered month (January, March, May, July, September and November) and Criminal Term Day shall commence at 9:00 a.m. on each Thursday immediately following the regular Grand Jury. Interim Grand Jury meets the 3rd Monday of every even-numbered month (February, April, June, August, October and December) and an Interim Criminal Term Day shall be held commencing at 9:00 a.m. on each Thursday immediately following any Interim Grand Jury. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Should Grand Jury or Interim Grand Jury fall on a state holiday, it will commence the next business day and Term Day will follow at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday immediately following. 2. In the event that Grand Jury falls during a mandatory judicial conference (usually in May), please contact the Clerk's Office for actual Grand Jury and Term Day dates.
• Misdemeanor Term Day: 1st Monday of each month. If the 1st Monday is a holiday, it is moved to the 2nd Monday of the month.
• Civil Term Day: 10:00 a.m. on the 4th Monday of every odd month (Jan., March, May, July, Sept., & Nov.) except when Monday is a holiday, then Civil Term begins on the 4th Tuesday.
• Interim Civil Term Day: 10:00 a.m. on the 4th Monday of every even month (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct. & Dec.) except when Monday is a holiday, then Civil Term begins on the 4th Tuesday. Please note: Only the court can schedule matters for the Interim Civil Term Day.
• Civil & Criminal Term days are subject to change due to administrative necessity, such as Judicial Conferences.
• Commissioners in Chancery utilized as agreed or when the individual case requires appointment.
• Law and Domestic cases are handled through the differentiated case tracking program. Trial date is set at the scheduling conference.
• Other matters not part of the differential case tracking program, counsel files praecipe placing case on Civil Term Day docket for setting of trial date.