Virginia Courthouse Security Line Wait Times & Hours (2026)
Short answer: Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously. Updated 2026-11-04
Morning security checkpoint wait times in Virginia range from 10 to 18 minutes during peak 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM docket call. The longest typical queue is at Fairfax County Courthouse (Jennings Judicial Center) (~18 mins). Virginia has the highest concentration of county courthouse cell phone bans on the East Coast. Under Va. Code § 19.2-389 / local Circuit Court orders, counties like Prince William, Chesterfield, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Chesapeake ban general public phones; some provide free lobby lockers while others force visitors back to their cars.
| County Courthouse | City | Security line wait times | Phone Lockers | Juror Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County Fairfax County Courthouse (Jennings Judicial Center) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Fairfax | ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Prince William County Prince William County Judicial Center (Manassas) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Manassas | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Virginia Beach County Virginia Beach Judicial Center (Building 10 / 10B) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Virginia Beach | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Loudoun County Loudoun County Courts Complex (Leesburg) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Leesburg | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Chesterfield County Chesterfield County Courts Building “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Chesterfield | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Henrico County Henrico County Courthouse (Parham Road) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Henrico | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Chesapeake County Chesapeake Judicial Center “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Chesapeake | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Norfolk County Norfolk Consolidated Courts Complex “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Norfolk | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes ($0.25) | Free Validated |
| Arlington County Arlington County Courthouse (Arlington) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Arlington | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Richmond City Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Richmond | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Stafford County Stafford County Courthouse (Stafford) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Stafford | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
| Spotsylvania County Spotsylvania County Courthouse (Spotsylvania) “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
Spotsylvania | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | Yes (Free) | Free Validated |
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in VA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in VA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive for an 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM court date in Virginia?
Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously.
How is this courthouse policy data verified?
We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.
More Courthouse Rules in Virginia
- Cell phone policy in Virginia
- Cell phones banned in Virginia
- Phone lockers at entrance in Virginia
- Uber & bus rider safe (no car) in Virginia
- Jury duty parking & validation in Virginia
- Juror phone & laptop rules in Virginia
- Courtroom dress code in Virginia
- Smartwatches & Apple Watch in Virginia