Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court

**JDR Court will be closed on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, due to inclement weather. Cases will be rescheduled and the court will send new summons.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice

Due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 tests in Stafford and among courthouse personnel and local attorneys, which the Court find constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the Clerk’s office personnel and the general public, in order to reduce the number of people coming into the courthouse and thereby curtail person-to-person contact, by court order, the Clerk’s office will be closed to the public.  The Clerk’s office will remain open and available to respond to telephonic inquiries and other urgent matters as needed. 

The Juvenile Courts will be operating in a modified capacity in compliance with the standards of CDC and Office of the Executive Secretary guidelines. All court hearings will be rescheduled for a later date (except protective orders, Department of Social Services, adult/juvenile video hearings, bond hearing, and juvenile detention cases. 

This is effective December 16, 2020, through January 1, 2021. All questions relating to cases should be directed to the Clerk’s Office (540) 658-8773.  

Responsibilities & Services


The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court:
  • Hears cases concerning marital relations where laws have been violated
  • Hears cases involving custody, support, control, or placement of neglected, abandoned, or delinquent children
  • Hears criminal cases involving juveniles

About the Clerk


The clerk of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is appointed by the judges of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for an indefinite term. The clerk is responsible for the administration of the court and the clerk's office.

This office:
  • Issues show cause orders for those not making support payments
  • Issues summonses
  • Prepares and dockets all cases for the Court

The 15th District Court Service Unit


The 15th District Court Service Unit provides intake, probation, after care, counseling, and mediation services to juveniles.

Judges
  • Hon. John E. Franklin, Presiding Judge
  • Hon. Julian W. Johnson, Presiding Judge
  • Hon. Andrea M. Stewart, Presiding Judge

Court Schedule



COURTROOM A
Criminal/Delinquency
2nd & 3rd Mon., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Every Wed., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Every Thurs., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fri., 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Adult Arraignment
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fri., 9:00 a.m.

Juvenile Arraignment
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fri., 10:00 a.m.

Traffic
2nd & 3rd Mon., every Wed., every Thurs., 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fri.

DCSE
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tues., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Civil (Custody/Visitation/Paternity/Non-DCSE
1st, 4th & 5th Mon.
4th & 5th Tues.

COURTROOM B
DSS
Every 3rd & 4th Tuesday

Civil (Custody/Visitation/Paternity/Non-DCSE)
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Mon & Fri.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th, Wed. & Thurs.

Continuance Policy


Continuance granted pursuant to Rules of Court. Written motion to be filed with the court.