About Us
Our Mission:
It is the duty and mission of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Northumberland County to provide a wide range of services to the public, judicial system, County Government and other agencies.
We provide these services with pride, honesty, professionalism and efficiency while providing a spirit of friendliness and cooperation.
Our role in serving Northumberland County:
As a public service forum for our community, it is our goal to provide an independent, accessible, and responsive environment for the just resolution of disputes, both criminal and civil, in order to preserve the rule of law, and to provide the highest quality of customer service to the citizens of Northumberland County.
Our Duties:
The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Mrs. Deborah Bingham is a constitutional officer elected to an eight-year term by the voters of Northumberland County.
The Circuit Court is the trial court with the broadest powers in Virginia and has authority to try a full range of both civil and criminal cases. In civil cases, the court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims from $4,500 to $25,000 and exclusive original jurisdiction over almost all claims exceeding $25,000. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over divorce cases, disputes concerning wills and estates, and controversies involving real property. In criminal cases, this court has jurisdiction over the trial of all felonies (offenses that may be punished by commitment to the penitentiary) and of those misdemeanors (offenses carrying a penalty of not more than 12 months in jail) on appeal from district court or originally charged in circuit court. Only in a circuit court is a jury provided for the trial of many disputes and controversies.
The Clerk's office handles a variety of duties including administrative matters for the court, recorder of deeds, custodian of court cases, public services, custodian of historic records including preservation, and official record keeper of election ballots.
In addition, our Court has appellate jurisdiction over all appeals from General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Meet the Staff
- Deborah Bingham, Master Clerk/CCM
- Jenny Headley, Master Chief Deputy Clerk/Jury Coordinator
- Kristen Sanchez, Deputy Clerk, FOIA Contact
- Shanteus Hence, Deputy Clerk
- Julie Turner, Deputy Clerk
jturner@vacourts.gov
Terms of Court and General Information
- Terms begin, 4th Tuesday, January, April, July & October
- All cases set by agreement with Commonwealth's Attorney at preliminary hearing, on Term day, or by agreement of counsel and the Court
- Court convenes at 9:00 a.m.
- In civil jury trials, instructions must be submitted to the Court and opposing counsel 5 days prior to trial
- Commissioners in Chancery are utilized in general chancery causes and divorces
- Distribution of final orders are sent through regular mail