Fairfax County General District Court

I can give 3 stars. A O. K as far as courthouses go. I wish I didn’t need to go but that’s my own fault.
It’s fairly easy to get to and parking was no bother. I was happy about that at least.
Inside is really nice. Security line was fast. People were nice. Seemed human. lol. Clean and easy to find where to go. Luckily, I checked online first to see where I should go before I got there.
Judge was nice. I was dismissed without a fine because I corrected my situation. My vehicle inspection expired due to a crack in my windshield. I drove around for 2 months with my shiny red rejection sticker on my car before I got pulled over.
I procrastinated as I usually do with such things. It just makes things worse. Do what needs to be done on time or suffer the consequences.

Just picked up my marriage license (so legal!), so I feel like I’m well-​equipped to leave a short li’l review here for any folks looking to do the same. The Fairfax County Courthouse is intimidatingly huge, given that it includes the Court House, Juvenile Detention Center, Correctional Facility, and two huge parking garages all as part of its’ campus.
You have to park a little bit of a hike away (make sure you enter the garage that says PUBLIC parking — $ 2 for an hour of parking), but once you make it up to the front, you just go through the TSA-​like security (shoes, belt, and coat off, cell phones & laptops out!) and then the Circuit Court where you can get your marriage license is just down around the corner in room 116.
We stood in line for a little while behind several other couples who were also lookin’ to get hitched, and when it was our turn we just handed over our drivers’ licenses, gave our fathers’ full names and mothers’ maiden names, looked everything over, signed, and were handed our license!
Marriage licenses in Virginia are good for 60 days (we’re getting married next Saturday), and, of course, aren’t actually legally binding until your officiant mails in the signed and completed form. They handed me a bunch of additional documentation, including a non-​legal but nice-​looking keepsake certificate my officiant can fill out, and a pamphlet + form on changing my last name.
The Circuit Court is open M-​F from 9 — 5, and getting our license was, for us, at least, a relatively quick and very painless process! Huzzah!

Grade A losers. The jock-​looking clerk in Civil told me to perfect an appeal, I couldn’t pay for it with a credit card, so I had to come back with a check. Fine. So I drive all the way back to Tysons, come all the way back, go through the security nuisance again (which, side note, New Horizons is terrible at security, don’t ever contract with them, they miss more stuff than the TSA), only to be told it had to be a certified bank check. Well the Arlingtonbro at the counter didn’t say that, he just said a check, which without any adjectives implies a regular personal check which, by the way, is accepted everywhere else in this godforsaken courthouse.
I don’t know what the qualifications are to be a clerk in this office but apparently it’s barely even a pulse, because I’ve had more competent service at McDonalds. And it’s the government, so they don’t give a crap about customer service to apologize for it, they just tell you the rules and send you on your way. How on earth they are understaffed is beyond me, considering that you apparently don’t even need to know how to work there to get the job.

I stopped by the Fairfax Court house today the parking is ok $ 2.00 for 1 hour and most of that walking to the court house and then all the way to the back to records. That’s right I was there in the afternoon to go to the records department.
I walked no line at all NICE ! then *** WHAMMY **** it smells like feet /​toe cheese NASTY you can even taste it. So you stand at the end of the rack and wait for your shoes and stuff. I was barefoot because it 74 outside and I think I now have foot fungus thanks to the oh so unclean carpets. Not something I was hopping to experience today.
Then I get charged too much because he didn’t know how to add. (Deep breath) I ask any way to leave without using the front door smell he laughs no that’s it. Ugh now I am home and I have washed my feet and hands. I just wanted to share the stinky experience since some people wan to know.

I’d give it a solid 5 stars if it weren’t for the décor, it’s just ‘bleh’, straight out of the early 90’s.
Otherwise, the Fairfax County Courthouse is well appointed, and might I say, luxurious
I highly recommend a stopover here, whether it’s your 3^rd DUI, or simple narcotics possession, this is where you want to be!
Fairfax County Courthouse, you the real M.V.P.

$ 62 processing fee is worse than the damn traffic infraction I committed, had just moved from another state and was following my Garmin when is took me into an HOV only lane to exit. I explained to cop what happened and that the state I moved from didn’t have HOV so I was even more confused! I had to save for three months to pay the damn ticket only to find out about the processing fee, which kept food out of my mouth and gas out of my car for three more weeks. This processing fee is the only crime I see here.

When I see the color paperwork in my pile of mail, I tend to panic. Jury duty is just as torcherous as paying taxes! One tip I would like to share is that you can always reschedule. There are instructions that detail out ways to reschedule either online or via phone. In my case, I had rescheduled twice. I was bound to attend today.
Parking is great at the Judicial center. Jurors are given parking stickers so that it is free. There is also a $ 30 compensation whether selected or not. There is free wifi and phones with cameras as well as laptops are allowed in the juror assembly room. There are fridges, vending machines, cafés and cafeterias.
Everyone was helpful and patient. They have a very organized process. If I had to sit on a panel for days then this would be the place to be!

If you get a bad traffic ticket and are summoned here, retain The Gordon Law Firm. They’re conveniently located across the street (free parking!) and will get you your life back. Traffic court is very expensive entertainment.

I showed up 40 minutes prior to my scheduled time for my traffic ticket. I ended up being 10 minutes late. Arrive at least 50 minutes early if your ticket was picked up around the holiday time. If you were simply speeding or something fairly low in point demerits and the complainant (aka officer/​trooper) doesn’t show up, try to plead not guilty on account of the officer not being there.
I made the mistake of pleading guilty despite being fairly certain I could have gotten away without anything even though my officer wasn’t present.
In any case, there are free traffic lawyer consultations around the area. You just have to find one of the free ones.
In any case, the whole place is a total money grab. Fairfax County court is probably one of the worst around the state of VA. If you want to take a safe driver course, do so. They won’t tell you to do so or not to do so. They charge $ 2/​hr for parking which is ridiculous. And the court processing fees are ridiculously high.
Hope for a lenient judge. That’s about it.

Try not to find yourself on the «business end of the judges gabble» here at Fairfax County Traffic Court. It will cost you!

:COURT TIPS
Different reasons have caused me to have to come here. Here a few tips that I have picked up. ;o)
1. COME EARLY– You will need time to park (and walk), get through security and find your legal counsel (if you have any).
2. SECURITY
2a. The line takes time– you can’t rush security
2b. Take off your jacket BEFORE they ask you to
2b. Take off your belt BEFORE they ask you to
2c. Empty your pockets BEFORE they ask you to
*Are we noticing a theme? Trust me on this, if you are one of the persons who does not do this, you will not make any friends in the line.
3. Smart phones are now permitted-​TG! However, put your phone on SILENT or vibrate. Don’t be «that guy».
4. Review the court website PRIOR to coming to coming to court. Many of the offices, (ex. Circuit Court) have additional fees for using credit cards. This often upsets patrons paying fines, purchasing marriage certificates, obtaining copies of certified marriage licenses, etc. To avoid additional stress, review the policies prior to paying a visit.
5. Dress to Impress– Or at least show respect to the magistrate. (Court ain’t the club.)
6. Be Nice– Being nice goes a LONG WAY!

I don’t think it is fair to rate a courthouse based on how a particular case may have turned out. Instead, I will review the Fairfax General District Court in terms of:
cleanliness;
friendliness/​helpfulness of staff;
technology-​utilization;
parking;
security;
layout of building; and,
other relevant points.
Why read this review? I am here 3 or more times per week. But I am not an employee, nor will this be biased, because I visit most Northern Virginia courthouses on a fairly regular basis. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m a lawyer. Specifically: I am a private criminal defense attorney.
Cleanliness of Bathrooms and Cafeteria:
This may sound strange (as a category), but it is important, as I have been to some downright nasty courthouses in Virginia. (Side note: the cafeteria is often missed by infrequent court-​goers, because the main location is downstairs).
The upstairs cafeteria has a limited offering, but it is good if you are there for a morning case and need some coffee or a small sandwich. As for the bathrooms: I’m always impressed. They are clean 95% of the time.
Court Staff:
The clerks here are extremely knowledgeable and will take the time to understand what you need to file, or if you are not sure what you need to do in a given situation, you can go to the Court Services office.
The translators are extremely courteous and hardworking. The traffic clerks are patient, and I would urge anyone reading this to not take out any hard-​feelings after a case does not go your way. They deal with rude people all the time, and it amazes me how they are able to almost always serve hundreds of people a day with a positive attitude. Fairfax County GDC is not under-staffed…unlike other courts I’ve been to.
Technology:
The flat-​screen television monitors lining the halls will remind you of an airport. This is a good thing, trust me. Most courthouses use print-​outs with hardly legible case information, often resulting in crowds of people bunching up to try to find out information about a case. This can be especially obnoxious if you are in a hurry.
Parking:
Parking is another aspect I can’t say enough about. For the public, the parking garage is not only easy to get to, rarely full, but above ground. I am not a fan of underground parking garages (such as Alexandria), because tight quarters makes for the occasional close-​call as people are rushing to park and get to court.
The parking fees are reasonable. I haven’t met anyone who has said otherwise. The one thing I will say that may be a slight negative point (but really, not worth taking a star away for) would be the distance you will walk from the main parking garage to the court. It is not very far, but to be fair, the City of Alexandria’s underground garage (the one I just said I am not a fan of), is much closer. But I still prefer Fairfax.
Security:
I really like the new card-​scanner for attorneys. It is not just a point worth mentioning for lawyers, because I think it promotes safety in general. Lawyers who are approved and obtain an ID from the Sheriffs office are allowed to avoid the metal detector and x-​ray machine lines, and for good reason. But prior to the new scanners (they display the lawyer or court staff member’s picture on a monitor), only a flash of the card to the security officer was required. If someone really wanted to sneak in posing as a lawyer with some ill-​intent, they probably could have managed to do so. Now, the new scanner system makes this virtually impossible. I feel safe, and that is saying a lot when you are at court… and every court is a place where people’s emotions tend to be all over the place.
Layout:
Since Fairfax County is the most populous county in Virginia, it makes sense that this courthouse would be huge. The first floor is where you will find courtrooms for traffic cases and some traffic-​related criminal misdemeanors. The second floor is the general district court’s criminal misdemeanor courtrooms. The third floor and fourth floor are where you will find the circuit courts. Always check your Summons and the online case information page (or ask your lawyer), if you are not sure where you are to go.
Things I do not like:
The jail. If you or a loved one is in jail, it can be burdensome to find someone to help. The «at lunch» sign is frequently on display at the main detention center desk.
I have added a link just below. Full disclosure: from my law firm’s website, but not promotional. It is dedicated to Fairfax County Traffic Court policies, procedures, contact information, directions, etc.

It’s been a while since someone rated this court, so why not?
I was selected for jury duty and reported on the required date. Having been here before, I showed up with at least 20 minutes to spare to allow time for security screening and the elevator (yes, they allow cell phones now although good luck with reception). After having my jury letter scanned, I was directed to a large room where deputies would come in and continually call off lists of names for jurors and their courtroom assignments. Not realizing what I had, I just followed the herd into our courtroom… with about 24 other jurors. The clerk promptly swore us in and then the lawyers put us through Voir Dire aka jury selection.
I did have a few observations… the court looks like it’s gotten a renovation recently due to some previous storm damage. However, it looks like they haven’t quite fixed everything. Our jury room had no ventilation or AC so it made for a very uncomfortable time… especially when one juror, whose biases became very clear during deliberations, took the time to argue for everything he could as if he were the prosecutor. It made for a long two days.
Additionally, the cafeteria food is overpriced and well… just plain sucks. There’s a little family of Koreans who are running that place and proving to me why any encounter with the court system is likely never a positive one.
I really don’t plan to come back if I can help it… at least you get a three-​year reprieve from jury duty once your initial service is done.

If you’re here, you probably don’t want to be. I was here for traffic court and I kinda think the process is unfair. See, the only time I’ve been to traffic court before was in Arlington. There, you can meet with the Commonwealth Attorney and try to work out a deal before you go before the judge. In Fairfax county, you can only talk to the CA first if you have a lawyer. Otherwise, it’s you against the cop, with him as the prosecutor and witness. If you end up here for more than the smallest in fraction, GET A LAWYER!!!

I wasn’t here because I wanted to be. Would I go again? Not if I can help it.

They should change their name to Fairfax County General District Court and Spa. I really enjoyed visiting this place like 8 years ago but, sadly, they haven’t invited me back since. Before my «appointment», I enjoyed a luxurious breakfast of eggs perfectly cooked sunny side up along with fluffy biscuits and creamy gravy (although I wish they had more sausage and less indiscernible meat in the gravy) in the cafeteria. Then I went upstairs to my assigned room and was greeted warmly by an officer who escorted me to my spacious bench which was deep enough to double as a daybed had it been adorned with the slightest bit of cushioning. Is this walnut or cypress?
As I reclined in the comfortable darkness while being entertained with the sweet music of defendants vehemently denying their legal transgressions, I let out a little laugh at the thought of all the little people having to go to work and deal with traffic at that moment. I’m awakened from my moment of bliss by laughter that wasn’t my own. I look to my right and there’s a a balding, abnormally thin (must not like biscuits and gravy) gentleman beside me and he’s staring at me while his laughter has, by then, waned to a chuckle. Was he laughing in response to mine? I guess he found the atmosphere at Blue Ridge Sanitarium and Resort to be a bit too pretentious considering their spartan amenities.

My first visit a year ago was at the Clerk of the Circuit to obtain a marriage license. Everything went a-​okay.
My second visit was to fight a traffic ticket. Expired inspection sticker ($ 30 fee), but this is where Fairfax County reams you, you have to add a $ 62 processing fee!!! WTF??? Seriously??? So I reasoned… if it was simply $ 30, I would have just paid it, but $ 62 processing fee ($ 92 total) is ridiculous!!!
So anyway a while back Virginia State Trooper King gave me a ticket for expired inspection sticker. Honest mistake. I have a clean driving record, and even though I informed him of that and pleaded with him to give me just a warning, this tough guy decides to give me a ticket anyway. What an @$$. He knows very well that this is going to get dismissed in court, but he’d rather be a tough guy and waste my time. It certainly wasn’t wasting his time because this tool brought in a BINDER FULL of tickets when all the other officers had a small number of cases (like 10 or 15).
Anyway to make a long story short, the Honorable Judge Gallahue was AWESOME!!! Very understanding, compassionate, helpful, and funny. 1 hour and 15 minutes after the start of the session (172 cases in the docket) my name was called. Although not verbatim, the conversation went something like this.
Judge: Donald
Me: Present
Judge: (Glancing quickly at my case) Do you have your pink inspection certificate?
Me: Yes, your honor.
Judge: Can you show it to the officer?
Me: Yes sir (handing the officer the certificate)
Judge: (speaking to the offier) Does that appear satisfactory?
Officer: Yes.
Judge: Case dismissed!!!
The judge didn’t even bother asking me «How do you plead?»
So after waiting 1 hour and 15 minutes to get a 15 second verdict, I walked out the of the courthouse not having to owe a penny to the county. PHEW!!!
Tips and Observations:
— Go to court and fight the ticket if it’s worth your time (I’d rather spend $ 92 at a nice restaurant so I went)
— There seems to be a difference between «case dismissed» versus «charges dropped» but you still pay court processing fees
— Dress in your Sunday’s best… looking like a scrub leaves a bad impression
— Come prepared… do your research by googling «fighting traffic tickets» and prepare your documents and evidence the night before (don’t wait for the last minute to grab the receipt out of your car, cuz you’re going to forget like I did, luckily I had someone run to my car to get it)
— If you want to plead guily, pay, and get on with life, pay online and avoid court
— If you want the chance to get off, plead «not guilty» then present your defense (I saw a few people plead guilty and still hoping for mercy — once you plead guilty that’s it, case closed.)
— If you want an idea of what court will be like, you can come on a day before your court date, sit in to get a feel for the process, and if you know who your judge is, you can even get a feel for how he operates too
— If you don’t prepay online, then show up on your court date (at least HALF the people didn’t show up)!!!
— parking garage is about $ 2/​hour
Helpful videos:

I’m with Venu on this — I think it’s unfair to rate the court on the fact that I was there due to a dishonest Fairfax County Cop with a chip on his shoulder.
I don’t plan on being there again any time soon — but I did get a ticket on Route 28 in Virginia a couple of years ago during the evening rush hour. I was traveling South in the far left lane and had just passed over Route 50. All lanes were full of traffic. The police had several vehicles on the left shoulder with flashing lights on (marked and unmarked vehicles). There was no room for me to merge over one lane to the right to give them some additional room. So I reduced my speed (basically traveling the same speed as everyone else) and when I arrived at the light — it was red — so I stopped.
When the light turned green, I moved through the light and was promptly pulled over by one of the unmarked vehicles. The officer sauntered up and told me he was giving me a ticket for failure to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. I attempted to explain there was zero room in the lanes to the right to move over — he did not care about that and did not want to hear it. I asked him if he would have preferred if I crashed into another car simply to make room for him. He ignored my question.
When he came back — he handed me a speeding ticket. I told him I was not speeding. He claimed I was going three miles over the speed limit. Bullshit.
So I went to court. The officer showed up. I explained the situation to the judge — the cop lied and stated that there was simply a misunderstanding. The judge sided with the cop and I had to pay a fine.
As Venu alluded to — you have to go through a Security checkpoint. The day I went to court — the line was very long and it took about 30 minutes to get through the line, go through the metal detector, surrender my cell phone, etc.
Afterward, I had to visit the clerk’s office and write out a check to the court.

It’s quite difficult to judge a court. First and foremost, the most important part of a courtroom to a lawyer is the judges that populate the bench. Given the relative level of turnover, the issues, and opposing counsel, it’s not easy to actually place a valuation on judges. Furthermore, it probably isn’t appropriate for a public website.
With that caveat developed, I am going to judge the Fairfax court based on its accessibility, its functionality, and its aesthetics.
Accessibility: Although it certainly makes more sense to drive, I like the idea that one could technically metro in from DC, take a bus, and get dropped off at the Fairfax General District courtsteps in less than 2 hours. Well done Fairfax!
Functionality: I’m not sure if this is every Virginia court, but I do not like the fact that my cellphone is effectively confiscated from the point of entrance until my business ends. Virginia needs to get with the electronic age; video demonstrations are an essential part of jurisprudence in Texas and I find this particular Virginia court’s archaic policies regarding laptops, cell phones, and other media disconcerting.
For the non-​practitioner, the courtroom is a complicated maze that could make an individual late for a hearing. I do like the electronic boards with courtroom assignments, but I still think that this courtroom could be a bit more user-​friendly.
Finally, the food that they serve here is borderline criminal. Last time I checked, this wasn’t jail. Fortunately, there are a few Indian restaurants in relative proximity to the courtroom. If you only have a 30 minute lunch, however, you are relegated to that disgusting cafeteria.
Aesthetics: It’s not exactly beautiful, but at least there have been positive renovations over the past few years. A courtroom is already a place of great stress; instead of creating consistent signs of the gravity of the courtroom, why not allow for some great works of art to alleviate the tension that inevitably builds before a hearing?
The exterior of this building is boring. Again, Virginia could learn something from the great State of Texas concerning courtroom aesthetics. Yes, it’s a freakin’ courtroom, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an ugly, dilapidated building.
In the grand scheme of things, I have seen worse courtrooms, but this is far from my favorite. I don’t necessarily pout when I get sent out here, but I’m not jumping for joy either. 3 stars.

So I got a traffic ticket. I was a bit concerned. 81 on the Dulles Toll Road where the limit is 55. That means an automatic traffic court appearance rather than an immediate fine, and the judge gets to decide what to do with you — and the maximum penalities are pretty stiff — like a $ 500 fine and mucho points on the license, and a potential ban depending on your status. Esssh.
So I go to traffic court. About 150 people there and about 6 deputies who ticketed people. The judge says, «OK, I will go thru you in alphabetical order — if you are not guilty say so and we will deal with all the non-​guilty people at the end. If you are guilty say so, I will let you come down to the mike to say something, and then i will sentence you»
I am shaking. I was this nervous back when I had to swear to tell the truth during my citizenship interview. If I ever commit a crime and get caught the rest of the gang are in big trouble because i will squeal like a canary.
So I get to see what is happening. First guy up, 85 on the Dulles expressway at 5.00am:
” you honor — I did not think it mattered since it was 5 am and there was nobody around“
Judge did not like that answer. $ 500 fine, 6 points. Ouch.
Next up, attractive, twenty-​something well dressed lawyer. She was a DUI. She needed a court appointed lawyer and was postponed. She was in tears. Holy shit. Career over. Note to self. Don’t DUI.
They go through everyone until they get to me. This judge is the original JHOT (Judgement Hammer of Thor — thanks Court — pun intended). Everybody has lame ass excuses, I was late, i was in a rush, I had to get to my flight, I did n’t think it mattered as there was no-​one around — and he is freakin killing them. Large couple of hundred dollar fines, points, it is getting ugly. My turn to say guilty and go to the stand and say something.
” You honor, I am sorry, I simply wasn’t concentrating, and apart from this I have a completely clean license”
” $ 75 fine, no points, you are free to go“
Bloody result. I left and paid my fine. Not sure what happened to the people who said they were not guilty.