Transition begins for new courthouse

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A two-week transition period begins Thursday for the new Portsmouth courthouse.

Officials say it should take about two weeks for the Circuit, General District and Juvenile courts to transition from the old building on Crawford Street to the new building on Court Street.

"It's been a lot of work," Portsmouth Clerk of Circuit Court Cynthia Morrison said. "We have records going back to 1858 and they can't be destroyed and they can't be boxed up and put somewhere. Trying to move that much of history has been a job."

A number of cases have been postponed to allow for the move, but judges will still hear emergency matters, like arraignments, bail hearings and protective order requests.