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Continuances

Traffic Case:
Verbal:
A request for a continuance must be made in person on your original court date, before the judge.

Written:
If you are unable to appear on your court date, you may file a request for a continuance, in writing, no less than 2 business days prior to the court date. Such written request will be placed with the case documents; and on the court date, the Judge will consider your request. There is no guarantee that the case will be continued or that the Judge will not initiate court action for your failure to appear. If the continuance request is denied, the case may be heard in your absence.

Either fax your written request to (757) 385-1063 or mail it to:
Virginia Beach General District Court
Attention: Traffic Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-9057.

The letter should include the following information:

Your full name and address
The name of the police officer
Your charge(s)
The court date and the reason for the continuance.

The court will not contact you regarding the continuance. You must appear in person or contact the General District Court to learn the judge's decision or check the Court's Case Information online www.courts.state.va.us. If the continuance is granted, each party is responsible for subpoenaing their witnesses, if any, to the new trial date.

Civil Case:
Verbal:
A request for a continuance must be made in person on your original court date, before the judge.

Written:
If you are unable to appear on your court date, you may file a request for a continuance, in writing, no less than 2 business days prior to the court date. Such written request will be placed with the case documents; and on the court date, the Judge will consider your request. There is no guarantee that the case will be continued. If the continuance request is denied, the case can be heard in your absence.

Either fax your written request to (757) 385-5682 or mail it to:
Virginia Beach General District Court
Attention: Civil Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-9057.

The letter should include the following information:

Your full name
The civil case number(s)
The original court date
Date(s) you would like the case continued to
The reason for the continuance.

The court will not contact the parties regarding the continuance. You must appear in or contact the General District Court to learn the judge's decision or check the Court's Case Information on-line. If the continuance is granted, each party is responsible for subpoenaing it's witnesses, if any, to the new trial date.

Criminal Case:
Felony:

Defendant
If you are the defendant, you must appear before the Court to make your continuance request.
Defense attorney
If you are a defense attorney requesting a continuance of a felony case, you must contact the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office at (757) 385-4401.

The General District Court Clerk's Office does not handle any requests for a continuance of a felony case.

Misdemeanor:
A request for a continuance must be made in person on your court date before the judge. If you are unable to appear on the court date, you may file a request for a continuance, in writing, no less than 2 business days prior to the court date. Such written request will be placed with the case documents; and on the court date, the Judge will consider your request. There is no guarantee that the case will be continued or that the Judge will not initiate court action for your failure to appear. In addition, the case may be heard in your absence.

For a first continuance request, if you are an attorney representing the defendant and have the agreement of the complainant/victim, you may submit by fax or by mail, a written request, no later than 2 business days prior to the original court date. Such written request will be placed with the case documents; and on the court date, the Judge will consider your request.

The fax number for the Criminal Division is (757) 385-1065 and the mailing address is:
Virginia Beach General District Court
Attn: Criminal Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456.

Your written request should include the following information: