---
title: "Robert P. Frank | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-p-frank-8423"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Robert P. Frank

Court of Appeals of Virginia · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals of Virginia
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals of Virginia, 1999-present
- Distinguished judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals, serving from March 16, 1999, until his retirement on December 31, 2014, and later as a Senior Judge from 2015 to 2024
- 1991–1999: Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Virginia
- 1986–1991: Judge, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Seventh Judicial District, Virginia
- Prior to joining the Virginia Court of Appeals, Frank served as a judge for the Newport News Circuit Court for eight years.

### Education

- B.A. in 1965, University of Virginia J.D. in 1968, University of Virginia

### Additional information

- 1999–2014: Elected by the Virginia General Assembly to the Virginia Court of Appeals on February 26, 1999, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Nelson T. Overton.
- Commonwealth (2010), Washington v.
- Commonwealth (2005), and Jackson v.
- Commonwealth (2003).
- Elected to the court by the Virginia General Assembly on February 27, 1999 and took office on March 16, 1999.
- Before entering the judiciary, Frank practiced law in Newport News, Virginia, from 1968 to 1986.
- Born: March 16, 1944, in Newport News, Virginia
- Frank’s tenure on the Court of Appeals included numerous published opinions covering a wide range of cases — from criminal law to civil matters — such as Turner v.
- His decisions often addressed issues like firearms charges, search and seizure, civil rights, and family law.

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8423/robert-p-frank/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8423/robert-p-frank/)
- [Court of Appeals of Virginia current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8423/robert-p-frank/)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8423/robert-p-frank/)
- [Robert Frank (Virginia) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Frank_(Virginia))
- [Robert P. Frank (Court of Appeals of Virginia) – CourtListener.com](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8423/robert-p-frank)

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