---
title: "Stephanie M. Shortt | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephanie-m-shortt-va-montgomery-juvenile-and-domestic-relations-district-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Stephanie M. Shortt

Montgomery Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Montgomery Juvenile and Domestic Relations 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

- Licensed to practice law in Virginia (since 1995)
- Before becoming a judge, Shortt held the role of Commonwealth’s Attorney for Floyd County, Virginia (elected 2007).
- Also interim Commonwealth’s Attorney for Floyd County
- Judge of the 27th Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in Virginia, serving cases in Radford, Galax, and surrounding counties
- Also listed on the Giles Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court roster as an active judge
- Earlier in her career, she worked as an assistant public defender for the Fairfax, Roanoke, and Fairfax County Public Defender Offices, and practiced law in private practice in Blacksburg, VA
- In summary: Judge Stephanie M. Shortt is an experienced Virginia jurist with a background in prosecution, public defense, and private practice, now serving on the 27th Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

### Education

- American University Washington College of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Elected by the Virginia General Assembly on November 10, 2014 and assumed office January 1, 2015, for a six‐year term ending December 31, 2020.
- She received the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award from the Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society in 2001.
- focusing on juvenile and family law matters in western Virginia.
- Her judicial service follows a long career in public service and legal practice.
- Judge Shortt presides over the 27th Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, which covers the cities of Radford and Galax, and counties including Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe.
- Shortt has been active in the New River Valley Chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, the Floyd Rotary Club, and the Board of the New River Valley Carilion Medical Center.