Fines and Costs Payment Agreement Policy

Online

• Payments may now be made on the internet for Circuit Court fines and costs.
• A 4% convenience fee is applied to online payments. 
• All Circuit Court case numbers will contain 12 digits, and begin with a “CR” (i.e. CR99000111-00).
• If there are multiple accounts for the same defendant, the payor is responsible for applying payments to the correct account as it may correspond with an active payment agreement.
• Payments are to be applied to restitution before fines and costs. 
• If you have questions regarding payments online, you may call the Clerk’s Office at 540-586-7632, and press option 2 for the Criminal Division.

By Mail

Payments sent by mail to:

• Bedford Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
  Attention: Criminal Division
  123 East Main St., Suite 201
  Bedford, VA 24523

You must identify the account (case number and defendant name) to which payment should be credited. This information is important if there are multiple accounts for the same defendant.

In Person

Payments are made at the Criminal Division office on the third floor of the courthouse between 8:30am and 4:30pm.

A fee of 4%, or $2.00, whichever is greater, applies to all credit card payments made in the office.

Phone payments are not accepted.

Information about Court Fines & Costs

Fines and/or court costs are assessed against individuals convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or traffic infraction. Fines and court costs are due when imposed unless the defendant enters into a payment plan agreement approved by the court.

Payment plans are signed at the Criminal Division office in the Clerk’s Office.

Judgment for the amount of fines and costs is entered against the defendant and judgments are docketed in the Clerk’s Office. Interest is to be assessed on the unpaid balance when 180 days have passed since final judgment or the defendant's release from incarceration.    

Individuals who do not promptly pay fines and court costs when due may be subject to the following:

• Unpaid fines and court costs are reported to the VA Department of Taxation, which acts as debt collector for the Circuit Court.

• Pursuant to §19.2-349 of the Code of VA, a collection fee of 17% is assessed on delinquent debt referred to collection agents on or after July 1, 2013.
• After proper notice, any tax refund or lottery proceeds due the defendant will be sent to the Clerk's Office to pay off the debt.