 What is the difference between the Sheriff's Office and the Police Department? |
 The main difference between the Sheriff's Office and the Police Department is that the Sheriff's Office provides security for the courts and serves all of the civil process. The Police Department handles all the criminal and traffic violations. When you dial 911 you will talk to the Police Department. |
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| What items are not allowed in Court? |
| Please refer to the Court page on this site. |
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| I found a paper posted to my door and the person(s) doesn't live here anymore. What do I do with it? |
| It is important to understand that the Sheriff's Office is not the only entity that serves processes. Private process servers are permitted to serve civil process as well. However, if you should find a process on your door for someone who does not live there, regardless of who may have served it, call the Sheriff's Office at (540) 372-1056. |
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| Why can't I come down to the Sheriff Office and pick-up the papers for my husband, wife, child or anyone else in my family? |
| The laws relating to service of process are very specific. If a person to be served is a party to the suit, they must be served in person. |
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| I received a 72-hour Notice to Vacate, but I filed a motion to rehear, so how do I make sure the Sheriff will not come out on the date of the scheduled eviction to put my property out? |
| A motion to rehear does not stop an eviction process. There are a couple of remedies available to tenants, for that information you need to seek the advice of legal counsel. |
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| My neighbor was evicted yesterday and there is a mess in the yard. Who do I contact to get the mess cleaned up? |
| Any property that is placed to the curb during an eviction process is the property of the tenant. It is considered theft to take the property once placed to the curb. If the property has been there for more than 24 hours, the neighbor should contact the Public Works Department of the city to arrange for disposal. This is usually the responsibility of the landlord. |
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| I have heard there is a Warrant for my arrest, can you tell me if this is true? |
| If the Warrant for your arrest is a criminal matter the Police Department would handle it. If the Warrant is a civil matter such as failure to appear in court the Sheriff's Office will handle it. In either case this information is not discussed over the phone, you will need to go to the Police Station or Sheriff's Office to inquire. |
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| How do I get information about serving civil process? |
| For information regarding civil process, evictions and warrants, contact the Sheriff's Office at (540) 372-1056. |
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| What is the cost of service for civil process? |
| For that information you should call (540) 372-1056. |
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| How do I bond someone out of jail? |
| The Magistrate's Office is responsible for all bonding. The office is open 24-hours a day and the phone number is (540) 898-1080. |
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| What is the address of the jail and when can I see an inmate? |
| For all questions regarding the jail and or inmates call (540) 288-5280 or visit there web site at http://www.rrj.state.va.us |
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| What happens if I can't make it to court? |
| You need to call the court that you are required to attend and advise them of the situation. If you are a Juror you must call the Sheriff's Office immediately. |
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| The weather is too bad and I'm not sure if court is canceled or not? |
| Listen to your local radio station or call the court that you are supposed to attend. |
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| What is a video arraignment? |
| A video arraignment is a legal proceeding that is held via a special closed circuit TV where the inmate is still in jail but is seen and heard in court. He or she is advised of the rights and the issue of bond is addressed and then the date for trial is set. |
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| Have been picked for jury duty and cannot serve the days that are set out in the list, what do I do? |
| By law you must serve the days that are assigned to you. You must also remember that the Judge of the Circuit Court is the one that issued the subpoena for you not the Sheriff's Office. The Judge is the only one that can excuse you from jury duty. Under certain extreme cases and hardships you can contact the Sheriff's Office and we might be able to work something out. The sooner you call after getting your questionnaire the better you chances are of getting something worked out. |
