​​​​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 a court action for your failure to appear. If the continuance request is denied, the case may be heard in your absence.

If mailing your request, it must be received prior to your court date.

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 at 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 and time, 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 online. If the continuance is granted, each party is responsible for subpoenaing its 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 two 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 a 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:

• The defendant's full name
• The charge(s)
• The original court date
• The name of the police officer/complainant
• ​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 at www.courts.state.va.us. If the continuance is granted, each party is responsible for subpoenaing its witnesses, if any, to the new trial date.

​Contact Information:

General District Court - Traffic
Judicial Center, Bldg. 10
2425 Nimmo Pkwy
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
TTY 711