---
title: "Cari M. Steele | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cari-m-steele-va-arlington-general-district-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Cari M. Steele

Arlington General District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Arlington General District Court
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.

Evidence excerpt: Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.

[Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Previous role: Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, Arlington County, VA (since 2020)
- Earlier career: Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Arlington County (2002) Special liaison to Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit and Homicide/Robbery Unit Liaison to Falls Church Police Department Represented the office on the Arlington Drug Treatment Court
- Cari Michele Steele is a judge of the 17th Judicial District Court of Virginia, which covers Arlington County and the City of Falls Church

### Education

- University of Richmond School of Law — J.D. (2000)
- in English, Methodist University — B.A. (1996)

### Additional information

- Joined the bench: 2023
- Before law enforcement: Staff Attorney, American Prosecutors Research Institute (2001–2002) Judicial law clerk, Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2000–2001)
- Arlington County Bar Association and its Board of Directors
- Born in Fort Benning, Georgia; married; mother of three; resides in Arlington, VA.