Public Safety & Courts

Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria’s law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

Page updated on Feb 25, 2020 at 9:53 AM

Fire Department

Police Department

  • Crisis Intervention Team – The City’s team of highly skilled and specially trained police officers and other City first responders function as part of regular services and patrol. These First responders receive 40 hours of specialized training in the recognition of psychiatric disorders, suicide intervention, substance abuse issues, verbal de-escalation techniques, the role of family in the care of a person with mental illness, and legal training in mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • Career Opportunities

Sheriff's Office

Courts

Information on the Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Court Service Unit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Court Operations & Services

  • Circuit Court Judges
  • Circuit Court Local Procedures – Civil
  • Circuit Court Local Procedures - Criminal
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court
  • Commonwealth’s Attorney - The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all persons charged with the commission of criminal and traffic offenses that occur within the City limits in violation of state law or City Ordinances. The Commonwealth's Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor and legal advisor to the Sheriff and the Police Department with regard to criminal matters.
  • Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Case Assignments - In the Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, prosecutors specialize by the types of crime (for example; domestic assault, sexual assault, or burglary) the defendant is charged with. Some crime types such as larceny and traffic offenses are assigned in rotation
  • Court Service Unit - provides services to youth and families involved in the juvenile court system. Functions of the CSU include intake, probation and parole; domestic relations complaints including custody, visitation and child support; family mediation and therapy; and crime prevention programs.
  • Gang & Youth Violence Intervention and Prevention - The City of Alexandria is committed to preventing violence and gang activity in the community. Staff from the Alexandria Court Service Unit and the Gang Prevention team involve community members, government officials, law enforcement, city agencies and youth and families to work together to address these issues.
  • General District Court 
  • Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court - The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears all cases of youth under 18 years of age who are charged with, or are the victims of, crimes, traffic or other violations of the law in City of Alexandria. This court also hears petitions for custody and support, as well as family abuse cases, cases where adults have been accused of child abuse or neglect, and criminal cases where the defendant and alleged victim are family or household members.
  • Law Library  - Alexandria Law Library provides print and electronic legal reference materials and the services of a professional law librarian for the benefit of the entire Alexandria community, including its citizens, government agencies, local businesses, the judiciary and members of the bar.
  • Re-Entry Services for Previously Incarcerated Individuals - Leaving a jail or prison can be as hard as living in one. Alexandria CARES is a program that helps get ex-offenders back on their feet because everyone deserves a second chance.
  • Victim-Witness Assistance Program - The Alexandria Victim-Witness Assistance Program is located in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. This program is staffed by Crime Victim Advocates who provide support and services to victims of crime during the immediate aftermath of a crime and throughout the criminal justice process
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia

Emergency Information

  • Emergency & Customer Communications (911) - Ensures the effective delivery of routine and emergency calls for service to the City’s public safety departments.
  • Emergency Management  - Provides emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery services to City residents.

Health

Protecting and promoting health and well-being in Alexandria’s communities

  • Health Department
  • Health Department Complaints and Concerns
  • Environmental Health Services - Issues permits, regulates and inspects various types of businesses, including restaurants, pools, hotels and marinas. It also assists with mosquito control, tick identification and follow up on animal bites and other possible rabies exposures.
  • Food Safety Program – The program conducts plan reviews, complaint investigations and food safety assessments of food service establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores, school kitchens and caterers.
  • Public Health Emergency Management - Public Health Emergency Management enhances readiness and resilience in communities throughout the City of Alexandria through emergency planning, training, drills/exercises, and outreach. 

Code Administration

Planning to build or renovate a home or business? The following pages include City Code requirements, processes and links to related agencies.

Adult Detention Center

The William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center houses all individuals committed by the courts to the Sheriff’s custody.

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