Newport News Circuit Court

7th Judicial Circuit of Virginia

Circuit Courts Informational Pamphlet

Judges

• Hon. Gary A. Mills, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Christopher R. Papile, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Bryant L. Sugg, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Matthew W. Hoffman, Chief Judge
• Hon. Tyneka L. D. Flythe

Terms of Court and General Information

• Criminal term begins, 2nd Monday monthly; Docket call 1:30 p.m.
• Felony cases trial dates initially set in District Court, thereafter at docket call 1:30 p.m. 1st day criminal term.
• Civil term begins, 2nd Mon., Jan., March, July, Sept., & Nov.
• Due to the mandatory Judicial Conference, May Term Day may be changed to the following Friday. Please contact the Clerk's Office for further information. Grand Jury: 9:30 a.m., Courtroom No. 3; Criminal Docket Call: 1:30 p.m., Courtroom No. 3.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Criminal Term at 9:30 a.m.
• Praecipes must be filed.
• Court convenes 10:00 a.m.
• Commissioners in Chancery are not utilized in divorce cases.
• If any Monday is a State holiday, docket call will be the following day.
• Scheduling orders are not mandatory, but pre-trial conferences are.
• Local rules can be found on the Internet at (https://www.nnva.gov/circuit-court).
• Order to Meet and Confer must be completed and filed with the Court three days prior to each pendente lite hearing. Form Pendente Lite Order must be completed after each pendente lite hearing.
• Effective July 1, 2021, cover sheets are required for recordings.