Thomas R. Robinett was appointed by Council February 12, 2007. He is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia and has been a practicing Virginia attorney for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University, where he obtained both B.A. and J.D. degrees. He has served as Town Attorney in Farmville, Virgina; Town Attorney and Town Manager in Crewe, Virginia; County Attorney in Gloucester County, Virginia; and City Attorney in Winchester, Virginia. He served on the Planning Commission of Nottoway County, Virginia for eight years, including six years as Chairman. He also served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is married with grown children, and he enjoys flying, fishing and cooking. You can reach Mr. Robinett at our main number, 635-7872, or via email.

Effective November 15, 2007 George Matthew Sonnett, Jr., from Washington, Virginia has joined our staff as the Assistant Town Attorney. Mr. Sonnett has a B.S. in Finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia. As well as the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Sonnett is a member of the Wyoming State Bar. He has an extensive background in real estate, business transactions, negotiable instruments, collections, bankruptcy, and estate administration. He is married and and has four children. You can reach Mr. Sonnett at our main number, 635-7872, or via email.

Joan F. Williams, Senior Legal Assistant, has been employed inthe Town Attorney's Office for a number of years. Joan was with the Town's outside counsel prior to this office becoming an official department with the Town. She has a comprehensive backgroound in all aspects of the law, including domestic, criminal, chancery, collections, civil litigation, estate matters, and real estate. She has had extensive training in all aspects of criminal law and prosecution matters. She handles all the day-to-day administration and correspondence of the Office, as well as preparation and maintenance of all files within the department. She drafts ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, etc. and assists the Town Attorney and Assitant Town Attorney in preparation of the prosecution files and co-ordinates the files with the court dockets.

The Office of the Town Attorney provides legal counsel to the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Commission, Town Manager and staff, and other Town agencies. It represents the Town and staff officials in all litigation on behalf of or against them. Upon request, the Office provides written legal opinions to the Mayor, Council and related committees.

The Office drafts and/or reviews all contracts, agreements, licenses, permits, deeds, leases, franchises and other legal documents to which the Town is a party. All ordinances and resolutions which are adopted by Town Council are also drafted and/or reviewd by the Office. The Town Attorney's Office also drafts proposed legislation to be adopted by the General Assembly on behalf of the Town, meets with the area's legislators and coordinates the tracking of legislation with the Town's Legislative Liaison.

In addition, the Town Attorney's Office handles all real estate transactions on behalf of the Town, preparing deeds, examining titles and conducting closings. It collects debts owed to the Town, including taxes, accounts, damages and fines. The Office also prosecutes zoning and property maintenance code violations, and traffic, parking and minor criminal violations of the Town Code.

The Town Attorney is appointed by and reports to the Town Council.

Persons having consumer complaints or inquires about landlord-tenant relations should contact the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs in Richmond toll-free at 1-800-552-9963.

The Commonwealth's Attorney prosecutes all violations of state law occurring within the boundaries of the Town of Front Royal. For information or inquires about matters handled by the Commonwealth's Attorney, please call 540-636-5441.

The Office of the Public Defender provides representation in criminal matters to defendants who meet certain eligibility criteria relative to income. The Office of the Public Defender may be contacted at 540-635-0300.

Referrals for legal assistance concerning private or personal matters may be obtained from the Virginia State Bar's Lawyers Referral Service toll-free at 1-800-552-7877.

Persons meeting certain eligibility criteria relating to income may qualify for low-cost or no-cost legal assistance from Blue Ridge Legal Services in Winchester, Virginia, for non-fee generating legal matters, such as domestic relations, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant issues, etc. Blue Ridge Legal Services can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-678-5021.

The Warren County General District Court initially hears all traffic, misdemeanor criminal, and minor civil cases (including evictions and collections). Contact the Clerk's Office at 540-635-2335 for information about the schedule and status for cases.

The Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears petitions for custody and support, criminal cases involving minors and family members as defendants or victims, and other matters relating to minors. Information about cases may be obtained from the Clerk, Linda Beatty, and her deputies at 540-635-4107.

The Warren County Circuit Court hears all felony criminal cases, as well as major civil matters, appeals from the General District Court of traffic, criminal and minor civil cases, and appeals from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The Clerk of the Court and his deputies may be reached at 540-635-2435.

All of the courts are located in the Warren County Courthouse building at the corner of Main Street and Royal Avenue.