Horrible clerks Criminal clerks…read more Ryan bosely and devise Scott unprofessional with record keeping Lose evidence Inaccurate

The Norfolk General District Court opened maybe 8-10 years ago, replacing the old courthouse (which…read moreis less than a 5-minute walk from the current courthouse). This venue is obviously much nicer - climate controlled, cleaner with modern upgrades and facilities, and even a snack room (with vending machines only). I visited this facility 7 times in August/September for jury duty - even the jury waiting room is nice. It's roomier than the old courthouse's jury waiting room and the city employees I've encountered there are pleasant and helpful. If there's one complaint I have, it's the "no cellphones allowed" rule. I understand the reasons why, but maybe restricting them from just the courtrooms (this is coming from a juror's perspective, mind you) would hold better value. As a potential juror, waiting around with only HGTV on the tv is a drag. At the least, I can use my phone to read, listen to music (or podcasts), and even get some work done. I know I can bring my own reading material (which I did), but who wants to carry extra stuff to a venue when there's no immediate parking? The closest garage is MacArthur Center - the walk isn't bad at all. But I don't want to carry any more than is necessary. I ended up doing so only because I couldn't bring in my cell. There are lockers at the first floor lobby, but I never carry change. And security is inconsistent when it comes to the metal detector and what you can and cannot bring in (i.e., medication and types of water bottles). Oh well, I will chalk up my jury duty as a learning experience. I learned plenty about our justice system as well as the Norfolk General District Court. The facility is fantastic, but getting inside is an inconvenience. Luckily for me, it's not an everyday thing. JV

Not necessarily a place you want to be if your not a player and a puppet in the system. Players…read morework there, puppets are obligated by law to appear. I had never been inside a court room until recently after receiving a traffic citation and wanting to fight it. The location is not desirable for most who reside in Virgina Beach. It's in building 10 in the city complex off Princess Anne road west of town. Parking is by lot, or street and free. The entrance is important to note because it changed to front (North) only. So ideally you want to be on the main entrance side. No fire arms, explosives etc in the building. They have airport type of security with a wand. All cellphones must be put in a locker at a cost of 50 cents, they have a machine that has change, but it did not work for me on one of my visits. The staff was pleasant to deal with on my two times visits. Especially Mrs. Wilburn who is an older lady who assisted me with a locker. There are monitors that tell you which room to go to on a scrolling screen with your name. Hey your famous, you made the big time. I found the common areas, as well as court rooms clean and even inviting if that's possible. Our tax dollars are paying for the up keep and I was impressed. You will observe all types of people from law enforcement, to attorneys, to witnesses to those compelled to appear in front of the judge. Virginia Beach has a nice court system. If your a player and this is where you find yourself often then I can see it being a comfortable place to conduct business. If your a puppet then good luck. I hope to not return anytime in the near future. However, it was nice to walk out of the building a winner.

Lazy unmotivated workers close office before end of workday. They are also poorly trained and can…read moreprovide little to no assistance outside of basic functions.

Amazing was still open at 5:00 pm and they helped me other dmv close 30 min early so I rushed here…read morelast minute but they were still nice to me

This is a very clean place. Signs make it easier to choose between business or property taxes…read more There's a parking lot across the street if the front lot is full.

Ok so it's a small town court house and yes it's a speed trap town but please don't get mad at them…read morefor enforcing the speed laws, you was speeding just like my son was lol can't get mad because out of all the time u got away with it and get caught once and have to waste a whole day to go there and deal with it, but the reason for the 4 is because it was a very fast process and far one the only thing I did not like was that they don't say anything about dress code my son was fine he always dressed to impress I was wearing dress shorts and they did not let me in the court house and there was a lot of people that had to go a buy pants or shirt women and men , but the courts officer at the door did say u can run to Walmart and buy some and come back took only about 25 extra minutes

Pretty awesome today as I was able to not only tour the exterior but one of the sheriff's deputies…read moregave me a brief personal tour of the interior and one of the courtrooms. After passing through the magnetometer, of course. Designed by architect Albert L. West and built between 1882 and 1883, the courthouse has a Classical Revival architecture. It is notable for its red brick façade and symmetrical proportions. The most striking features include a central tower with a working clock and columned portico. Elizabeth City wasn't always the seat of Pasquotank County. From the 18th century onward, the seat moved from Brook Field to Relfe's Point, then Winfield, Nixonton, and finally Elizabeth Town in 1800 which was renamed to Elizabeth City. [Review 878 of 2025 - 4303 in North Carolina - 24435 overall]

Me and my husband went to get married and the line was pretty long but the clerks were all amazing!…read moreMake sure that you leave yours phones in your car! Or store them in the lockers that they have inside for a small fee!

I recently took a trip to the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office as I was in need of a passport…read more The passport office is located on the 7th floor. Things to note about the entire building: - NO phones OR even smartwatches allowed. There are tiny little lockers available for rent in the lobby for a small fee of $0.25, so bring your coins (no cards or any other form of payment is accepted). That's why there are barely any photos on this page. - security check on the main floor as soon as you walk in through the doors - street parking is pretty scarce since the building is next to a tram station. I parked in the lot behind the building across the street and walked over. It's run by the City of Norfolk, so the fees weren't bad. Things to note about the passport office: *This is the only passport office in this area that will take walk-ins. Most of all the other locations I called were appointments only. I live in Chesapeake and the one in Chesapeake City Hall didn't have an appointment until October. Thanks, but no thanks. I need to fly way sooner than that. *One of the ladies that worked the line that day was the friendliest government employee I have ever come across LOL. She was just the nicest person! Super efficient, informative and genuinely wanted to help! *You can take your passport photos here, I'm sure, for a fee. I did not know this so I just got my photos done at a Walgreens, but had I known, that would have saved me some time, especially since I was in a rush to get the passport. *Expedited service really only saves you a day or so, so the extra fee is not really worth it. *This makes me nervous, but they took the original copy of my identification which is my citizenship certificate. They say they will mail it back, which I am sure they will, but it's still nerve wrecking! *They charge fees if you pay by credit card, so if you want to save a few dollars, bring your checkbook! Stay safe, Friends!

Visiting the 1750 Isle of Wight Courthouse was so much fun! It has really great displays and…read morecaptivating history. I learned alot from the tour guide, she was informative and helpful. I liked how they set it up so it feels like you stepped back in time and attending a court case . You can really picture what it was like. I plan to go back and learn more and spend more time there.

Pretty building, interesting court record saving history throughout wars, and Anna was super…read moreinformative!

Came to the magistrate to get an An Emergency Custody Order (ECO) for my 17 year old son. In…read moreVirginia it's a legal mechanism allowing law enforcement to take a person into custody for up to 8 hours for a mandatory mental health evaluation if they pose a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness. He was finally able to get the help he needed thanks to them and he was not only diagnosed with Bipolar 1 but he also has high functioning autism, ADHD, and ODD. If it wasn't for the magistrate he would have never agreed to get checked out and things would still be bad. He is now on the path to recovery. Thank You So Much for your help! Without you, who knows what the outcome would have Been.

Went in for a marriage license. When we walk in the front door i greet the officer and ask, " is…read morethis where we apply for a marriage license?" He doesnt answer the question but abruptly asks me do I have a cell phone. Talk about poor people skills! But after dealing with the sentry staff everyone else was happy to assist. But first impressions go a long way.

The Chowan County Courthouse was completed in 1767 and is the oldest courthouse still in active use…read morein North Carolina. The courthouse's design is attributed either to John Hawks, architect of Tryon Palace in New Bern, or Gilbert Leigh, a local builder. It features a T-shaped layout with Flemish bond brickwork, a central courtroom, and a second-floor assembly room often referred to as a ballroom. The building has a two-stage wooden cupola with a weathervane atop the structure, reflecting classical British architectural influences. During the Revolutionary era, the courthouse was a hub of political and legal activity. Figures such as Joseph Hewes (a signer of the Declaration of Independence), James Iredell (later a U.S. Supreme Court Justice), and Samuel Johnston (Governor and U.S. Senator) practiced law and held meetings there. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Edenton and well worth a stop. [Review 838 of 2025 - 4268 in North Carolina - 24397 overall]

Tons of history in this building! Very cool to stand on original stone floors that were imported…read morefrom Britain. It's still an active courtroom and we learned that the NC Supreme Court holds court here once in a while. You can walk around freely and sit in the judge's seat which was a cool experience. The guided tour with Lucas was fun and informative.

I am in love! Should I say it again? I am in love! Smithfield... you have captured my heart. I'm a…read morebig fan of small, quaint towns with historical charm and Smithfield is one of the best. We're talking small--a population of 8,100 and 10.1 square miles. Like the rest of the area, Smithfield was first colonized in 1634 by Captain John Smith; it was then officially incorporated in 1752. A big part of the town is Smithfield Food, Inc., which is one of the largest employer in Hampton Roads. Ham is important around here! However, there is so much more to do than just eat ham... THINGS TO DO IN SMITHFIELD: * First, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a brochure about the Porcine Parade (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smithfield-visitor-center-smithfield) * Search for the 8 pigs in the Porcine Parade * Take a walk or kayak at Windsor Castle Park (http://www.yelp.com/biz/windsor-castle-park-smithfield) * See a show at Smithfield Little Theater (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smithfield-little-theatre-smithfield) * Visit the Isle of Wight Museum (http://www.yelp.com/biz/isle-of-wight-county-museum-smithfield-2) * Walk up and down Main Street to see the wonderful shops, restaurants, and sweets * Visit the Old Isle of Wight County Courthouse (http://www.yelp.com/biz/old-isle-of-wight-county-courthouse-smithfield) * Take a tour at St. Luke's Historic Church (http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-lukes-historic-church-smithfield-3) * Have a picnic at Fort Boykin (http://www.yelp.com/biz/fort-boykin-smithfield) * Go fishing at Clontz Park on the Pagan River Don't just take it from me--Smithfield was recently named "One of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns." Take a trip to visit this beautiful, historic town. I think you will fall in love with Smithfield, too.

I loveeeeee Smithfield. If you picture the cutest little small towns you've ever seen on tv and…read morethen imagine visiting an actual real one - that is Smithfield. It's literally a one stop-light kind'a town with loads of cute shops and more and more are opening up it seems every time I visit. There are so many things to do on Main Street... ---Food: -Yummaries Bakery - A cute bakery that just celebrated one year of the storefront today but has been selling delicious baked goods at the Smithfield Farmer's Markets for years. -The Smithfield Gourmet Bakery and Cafe - the cutest quaint little cafe with fresh-made cupcakes, brownies, breads and hand-cut fries. Delicious lunch and dinner items with daily specials and the best hot chocolate ever. -Smithfield Inn - A working inn with rooms and a nice bar/restaurant downstairs. Old victorian vibe - try the ham biscuits. -Smithfield Station - Down the street by the entrance to Windsor Castle Park with several shops - you can sit inside or out on the deck overlooking the water - try the bacon-wrapped scallops. You will not regret it. -Cure Coffee Shop - relatively new and around the corner on Church Street - coffee, lemonade, teas and light food (think cheese trays, avocado toast, yogurt and granola and sandwiches). -Taste of Smithfield - A pork/ham/bacon Smithfield Foods restaurant with a nice bar and tables inside as well as outdoor seating. They also sell Smithfield Foods ham and gift items inside like peanuts and chocolates. -Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor - cute small-town ice cream shop. ---Outdoors: -Windsor Castle Park is just down Church Street with plenty of parking and several entrances and wooden foot bridges. This is by far my favorite park in Hampton roads. I adore it. -Kayak rentals at Windsor Castle Park - $10 an hour for single person, $20 an hour for double person. -Cypress Creek Golf Course - about 10 minutes outside of town. ---Historical: -Isle of Wight County Museum and Gift Shop -Smithfield Courthouse Complex -Historical Homes Tours - sometimes the old mansions on the waterfront on Church Street allows tours inside. -Tour St. Luke's Church - apparently the nation's only surviving original Gothic building. -Ivy Hill Cemetery - a nearby cemetery with available walking tours, established in 1886. -Fort Huger - a nearby civil war fort with available walking tours. -Fort Boykin Historic Park - a nearby civil war fort with walking tours. ---Shopping: Loads of antiques and other shops - I can't even remember them all... -Relics - vintage and found furniture and decor items that have been restored (mostly white) - beautiful. -Wharf Hill Antiques - kitchen and food items as well as antique home goods items. Very classy and beautiful Christmas displays. -Finley's General Store - it is what you think it is - a general store with food items (think salsa and ketchup) as well as snacks and home items (mugs, kitchen stuff, soap, etc.). -Fleur de Fou - a new-ish florist shop with some cute decor inside and holiday-themed items. -Christmas Store - it is HUGE and has everything you could ever want to decorate for Christmas - or for upcoming holidays. -Perfectly Natural Soap - this classy natural soap store has much more than that and I LOVE it. It's my go to for soap, bath fizzes, essential oils, lotions, chapstick, etc. etc. -Maggie Casey's Celtic Treasure - a Celtic-themed store that even has a life-size statue of Jamie Fraser! -Victoria's Rose - small gift-shop with cute items. -Mansion House Art & Antiques - (on Church Street by Cure Coffee) a giant Mansion house full of classy antiques - these are more high-end than the other shops. -Laura & Lucy's - antique and vintage store with some neat finds -Smithfield Home Furnishings - vintage and antique home decor -Vintage Potential - antique store -Signature Styles Hair Salon ---Entertainment: -The Smithfield Center - weddings, plays, performances, concerts, town meetings, conferences, etc. -Also, Smithfield does an awesome job of hosting dozens of events and markets and craft shows. There is a Halloween market, the pickers market (antiques), a Christmas Market (1-2x annually), weekly Farmer's Markets, various vintage car and craft shows, music shows, 5ks, wine festivals, and sunflowers at Windsor Castle. ---Art: -The Arts Center @ 319 - this is a really cool center that caters to local artists and hosts workshops and classes as well as displaying local art for sale. I've found a few things I really loved. -Smithfield Farmer's Market has loads of arts and crafts and some really neat items. -Boardwalk HeART Show - at Smithfield Station (maybe will be annual?) -Color Scapes Fine Arts Gallery This town is a gem. Really. I adore it. I didn't even mention everything -you must visit if you have never been, walk the park, eat some scallops, talk to the people, enjoy the day. You will not regret it.