Richmond City, VA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: No for the general public. Under Richmond City Circuit & General District Court Joint Order on Portable Electronic Devices, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt. Yes. Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) provides phone lockers (free of charge): Small coin/PIN lockers inside the main security vestibule before magnetometers. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush. Last checked
Virginia law changed on July 1, 2026. HB 872 makes phones in Virginia general district and circuit courts the default and has each chief judge set a device policy. Some courts still restrict phones (for example with pouches or evidence-only rules), so the rule shown here may be out of date. Check your court's posted electronic device policy before you go.
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Virginia court rule to Richmond City. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (804) 646-6505 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond)
- Address
- 400 N 9th St, Richmond, VA 23219
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (804) 646-6505
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~819 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.vacourts.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Richmond City Juror Parking Facility (Richmond Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Richmond City Juror Garage in downtown Richmond. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Richmond local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Richmond City)
Authority: Richmond City Circuit & General District Court Joint Order on Portable Electronic Devices · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Virginia); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | Richmond City Policy | Quote from Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt | |
| Cell phones banned | Phones banned · Lockers at door (Free) | |
| Phone lockers at entrance | Lockers available (Free) | |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (lobby lockers: Free) | |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · Richmond City Juror Parking Facility (Richmond Judicial Garage) | |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | |
| Security line wait times | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Richmond City
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 400 N 9th St, Richmond, VA 23219 |
Banned for Public | Free lockers at security | Validated free (Richmond City Juror Parking Facility (Richmond Judicial Garage)) |
What to Know Before You Go to Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Richmond City are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
Litigants, defendants, and spectators are prohibited from bringing cell phones inside. Use the lobby lockers (free) before the metal detector. If you need text messages, photos, or insurance PDFs as courtroom evidence, print physical copies before arriving.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~10 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Richmond City, VA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Richmond City, 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
Can I bring my cell phone to Richmond City Courthouse in Richmond, VA?
No for the general public. Under Richmond City Circuit & General District Court Joint Order on Portable Electronic Devices, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt.
Does Richmond City Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
Yes. Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) provides phone lockers (free of charge): Small coin/PIN lockers inside the main security vestibule before magnetometers. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush.
Where do I park for jury duty at Richmond City Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Richmond City Juror Parking Facility (Richmond Judicial Garage). Park in the designated Richmond City Juror Garage in downtown Richmond. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Richmond City Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Richmond City Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 10-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 20 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Richmond City court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (804) 646-6505 or consult a local Richmond City traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- Virginia jury duty pay & laws
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in Virginia
- Fairfax County (Fairfax)
- Prince William County (Manassas)
- Virginia Beach County (Virginia Beach)
- Loudoun County (Leesburg)
- Chesterfield County (Chesterfield)
- Henrico County (Henrico)
- Chesapeake County (Chesapeake)
- Norfolk County (Norfolk)
- Arlington County (Arlington)
- Stafford County (Stafford)
- Spotsylvania County (Spotsylvania)
- All 12 Virginia counties →
Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond)? Submit a verified update.