The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for serving all civil process within Warren County as directed by the court system.

Civil process papers include, but are not limited to, subpoenas, notices, orders, complaints and  summonses for both Civil and Criminal cases.

The Civil Process Division is also responsible for executing evictions, levies, seizures, and sales through public auctions. 

Hours of operation are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

Service for rent notices an in-state subpoenas, etc., is $12.00.  (No charge for Juvenile cases, if General District Court or Circuit Court collect fees, we do not collect additional fees.)  Out-of-State service fees are $75.00.    

Additional Resources for the Landlord and Tenant:

Tenants who are in need of emergency services, such as shelter or financial assistance, or legal information,  may contact:

Warren County Department of Social Services

912 Warren Avenue
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
(540) 635-3430

Salvation Army

357 Cloud Street

P. O. Box 1428

Front Royal, Virginia 22630

(540)-635-4020

Warren County/Front Royal House of Hope

722 Warren Avenue

Front Royal, Virginia 22630

(540)-635-2466

Warren County Council on Domestic Violence

P.O. Box 1831

Front Royal Virginia 22630

Business #: (703)-635-9062 Hotline/Crisis: (703)-635-9062

Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc.  Serving the City of Winchester, Counties of Clarke, Frederick, Warren and Northern Shenandoah County.

(540) 662-5021

Click here to view a copy of the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Handbook. 

Generally speaking, there are three steps to an eviction:

1.    Notice - There are two kinds of notices - a 5-day notice (§55-248.34:1) for non-payment of rent and a 30-day (§55-248.31) notice for a lease violation. These notices can be served by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or mailed to the renter by certified mail, return receipt requested. 

2.    Summons for Unlawful Detainer (§8.01-28) - Once the 5-day or 30-day notice has expired, you need to take a copy of your notice to Warren County General District Court and request a Summons for Unlawful Detainer. At that time, the court clerk will issue you a court date and the defendant will be served a copy of the summons by the sheriff.  

3.    Writ of Possession in Unlawful Detainer (§8.01-470 & 472) - If the judge awards in the landlords favor, a Writ of possession will be issued.   

WRIT OF POSSESSION IN UNLAWFUL DETAINER

(§8.01-470 & 472) The Writ of Possession in Unlawful Detainer is a court order authorizing the Sheriff to physically remove a person and his belongings from the premises and to return possession to the landlord. Usually the court will not issue the Writ of Possession until the appeal period has lapsed. The appeal period is ten (10) days except where the landlord has asked for and the judge grants immediate possession at the hearing.  The 10-day appeal period is then waived. (§8.01-129) There are certain qualifications which must be met in order to obtain a wavier of the appeal period, and it strongly suggested consulting an attorney for additional information.

Do not confuse the waiver of the appeal period to mean waiver of the 72 Hour Notice, which will be covered later. 

Special considerations are made for mobile home evictions.  If the landlord requesting the eviction is the landlord of the mobile home, but not the lot owner, the tenant will be treated as though they were renting an apartment.  All personal property inside the mobile home will be moved to the nearest public way.

If the evicting landlord is the lot owner, but does not own the mobile home, then the lot owner/landlord has the option of either having the mobile home removed from the lot and placed in a storage area, or evicting while allowing the mobile home to be considered stored on the lot. In both cases, contents of the mobile home are not removed. The utilities are disconnected and the mobile home is secured so that no one can enter. The disadvantages to moving the mobile home to a storage area are that you may be required to obtain permits to move the mobile home and the expenses of moving it may be costly. The disadvantage of allowing the mobile home to remain on the lot is the same as landlords who do not change locks. The tenant will sometimes move back in. 

Non-Emergency Telephone:  540-635-4128  | FAX: 540-636-4950

Warren County E911/Communications Center personnel serve the citizens of Front Royal and Warren County by answering and ascertaining the nature of both emergency and non-emergency calls, and dispatching the appropriate response units. The center dispatches all requests for fire and emergency medical services, as well as emergency and non-emergency Sheriff’s Office assistance, including Animal Control. The dedicated, skilled personnel within the center track and monitor law enforcement personnel, fire, and EMS units in the field. The Communications Center also serves as an after hour answering point for other county services. In addition, the center provides coordination and support services during disasters and other emergency situations.

The Communications Center personnel are responsible for many forms of data entry, into both state and national databases, that require a great deal of attention to detail to ensure the most correct records possible. These records include stolen vehicles, as well as other stolen article files, wanted person entry, missing persons reports, and a filing maintenance of all court issued protective orders for Warren County, to name only a few.

Our goal is to provide the most efficient and effective communications possible, during emergencies and non-emergencies, to ensure the safety of life and property.

We are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, supporting operations through an ever-changing comprehensive communications infrastructure.

Cash Bail – The defendant deposits cash with the court.  When the defendant shows up for court, the cash may be returned after all court cost have been paid.  If the defendant fails to show up, the court keeps the entire amount.

Surety Bond – Otherwise known as “bail bond”, this is when a defendant contacts a bondman who posts the bail bond to the court on behalf of the defendant.  In return for accepting this risk, the defendant pays the bondsman a premium of typically 10% of the bail amount plus a processing fee.

Property Bond – In many jurisdictions, defendants can allow placement of a lien on property (real estate) they own in order to secure their bail amount.  If the defendant fails to show up for court, the court will foreclose on their property.  The defendant can only post a property bond if there is enough equity on their property to cover the bail amount. 

A bondsman makes it possible for a defendant who cannot afford to post bail to be released from jail (and not spend time in jail awaiting trial).  A bondsman will take care of bail paperwork and will guarantee bond payment to the court.  In return for covering bail for a defendant, a bondsman earns a premium from the defendant or his or her family.  The only obligation of the defendant is to appear in court on the trial date. 

Recognizance is a type of release provided by the Court or Magistrate.  This is typically done for first-time offenders who pose no risk to society.

A citation release (or release by summons) usually occurs when a defendant is arrested for a lesser offense.   An officer may issue a citation that informs the defendant to appear in court on a specific date and time.  In this case no bail is required. 

Telephone numbers for calling a bondsman can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone book listed under bail bonds.   

Applicant fingerprints are done at the Work Release building located at 30 E. Jackson St., Front Royal, VA. 22630.  There is a $5.00 fee per person payable at the time of service.  The scheduled days for prints are:

Tuesday 8:00am-12:00pm

Thursday 4:00pm-8:00pm

Fingerprints for concealed weapons are no longer required.  Valid picture identification is required to be fingerprinted.  Fingerprints are done electronically, not inked.  If we can assist you in any way please contact Warren County Work Release at 540-622-2206.

 All inmates are provided with nutritionally balanced meals using Department of Correction's menus written by a registered dietitian.  All meals are prepared under direct supervision and are prepared by inmate labor.  Inmates are trained in food preparation, food storage, and sanitation techniques to insure safety.  Inmates serve an average of 120,000 meals a year at this facility.

The kitchen is inspected, documented, and in compliance with national and local health regulations.  Food supplies, budgeting, and accounting procedures to control cost and waste are the responsibility of the Food Service Manager.

The GED/ABE (Adult Basic Education) Program in the Warren County Jail enables inmates to continue with their educational goals while incarcerated.  Research has shown that improving ones educational levels helps to decrease recidivism in the jails and prisons. 

Inmates discover areas in which they are successful, learn to communicate more effectively, and develop skills that will serve them when they are released. Some are also prepared to take the GED exam if they have not completed a high school education. Inmates who are not eligible for the GED, but are eligible for ongoing special education, are given instruction at their appropriate level.   

A partial list of services includes: 

• Testing of present educational level
• Instruction in target areas of need
• Computer instruction
• Writing efficiency
• Reading Comprehension
• Oral communication skills
• ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for non-native speakers of English
• Ongoing, regular testing and evaluation of skills
• Preparation for the GED (General Educational Development) diploma  

The GED/ABE program is developed and monitored by Northern Shenandoah Valley Adult Education and Warren County Schools / Special Education.   For more information, please contact Susan Utt, Director of Northern Shenandoah Valley Adult Education at 540-667-9744.