Fines, Court Costs & Payment Instructions

Court Costs

When an individual is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the Circuit Court, court imposed fines, costs and/or restitution (i.e., court debt) will be assessed against the defendant.

• All court costs are assessed in accordance with the Code of Virginia.
• Court debt is due at the time of sentencing unless the defendant enters into a payment plan agreement (PDF) approved by the Court or Clerk’s Office.

An individual who does not promptly pay or enter into a payment plan agreement to pay court debt will be subject to the following:

• A judgment will be entered against the defendant if costs are not paid the same day.
  • All judgments will be docketed against real estate, thereby creating a lien on the defendant's real property in the land records.
  • The Clerk has no authority to release this lien/judgment based upon a request of the judgment debtor or another individual with an interest in the real estate.
• Interest will accrue on the balance due beginning 181 days after conviction or 181 days after release from incarceration imposed for the related charges.
• Unpaid balances are reported to the Department of Taxation for collection purposes and a 17% collection fee is assessed.
  • Your employer may be contacted to garnish your wages until the debt is paid in full.
  • After proper notice, any state tax refund and lottery proceeds due the defendant will be sent to the Clerk's Office to pay toward the debt.

Payments

Payment Types Accepted

Payment Instructions

Payments for court debt may be made online, in person, by phone or by mail.

• If payment is mailed and a receipt is desired, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• Checks and money orders should be made payable to Chesterfield Circuit Court and should include a phone number.
• Never send cash payments by mail.
• Always indicate clearly to which account (case number and defendant name) payment is to be credited.