Show Cause
Show Causes are FREE and may be filed directly with the Clerk’s Office whenever someone has disobeyed a Court Order.
Civil Show Cause
A civil show cause pleading requests the court to determine whether the respondent/defendant is guilty of violating a court order;
- the burden of proof is on the petitioner by the greater weight of the evidence;
- if the judge finds the respondent/defendant is in violation of the court order, the judge may:
- incarcerate the defendant/respondent until the defendant/respondent demonstrates a willingness to comply with the court order; or
- direct the defendant/respondent not to violate the order in the future.
- a civil show cause does not allow the court to impose a specific period of incarceration or a fine.
Criminal Show Cause
A criminal show cause pleading requests the court to determine whether the respondent/defendant is guilty of violating a court order;
- the burden of proof is on the petitioner by beyond a reasonable doubt;
- if the judge finds the respondent/defendant in violation of the court order, the judge may:
- incarcerate the defendant/respondent for a fixed period of up to 12 months; and/or
- impose a fine of up to $2,500
Neither a civil nor a criminal show cause allows the judge to modify or change the existing custody/visitation/support order.
Required Affidavit must accompany ALL Show Causes:
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Jennifer Nicely
Clerk of Court
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Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Physical Address
7000 Lucy Corr Boulevard
Building Number 7
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone 804-748-1379Fax 804-717-6043
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Closed for State and Federal holidays and severe weather)
Court Service Unit
Phone: 804-748-1372
Mediation Coordinator
Phone: 804-706-2678
Parking
From Lucy Corr Boulevard, turn left at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court sign. Take an immediate right into the visitor parking lot. There is no fee for parking. Once parked, proceed to the security checkpoint just inside the front, main entrance.
Social Media
- Annual Reports
- Current Case Orders of Publication (PDF)
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Case Processing Manual (Supreme Court of Virginia) (PDF)
- Virginia’s Judicial Branch
- Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Page on Supreme Court’s Website
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Caseload Statistics
- Custody, Visitation and Support - "Now What?" Brochure (PDF)
- Self Help
- Free Legal Answers
- Parent Education Providers
- Community Service Providers (PDF)
- Overview of the Courts System