dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.35:01. Location of district courts for Albemarle County.
The Albemarle General District Court and the Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court may sit in the City of Charlottesville on property immediately across the street from the county courthouse.

2019, c. 240.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.35:1. Location of district courts for Carroll County.
The General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for Carroll County shall sit at the Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville.

1974, c. 508.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.35:2. Recording of proceedings in district courts.
A. An audio recording of proceedings in a district court may be made by a party or his counsel. However, the judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court may impose any restriction as necessary to comply with the confidentiality requirements applicable to such district court.

B. No judge of a district court shall (i) order or require a party or his counsel to submit a copy of an audio recording made pursuant to this section or a transcript of such recording to the clerk of a district court to be maintained in such party's individual case file or (ii) prohibit a party or his counsel from providing such copy or transcript of such recording to the opposing party or his counsel.

1985, c. 378; 2014, c. 268; 2025, c. 509.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.35:3. (Expires pursuant to Acts 2025, c. 292, cl. 2) Twelfth Judicial District; chief judges; designation of cases to be heard in Colonial Heights..
The chief judges of the Twelfth Judicial District General District Court and the Twelfth Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court may, in the interest of justice and by order, designate one or more of the courtrooms of the Colonial Heights General District Court or Colonial Heights Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court as the courtroom or courtrooms in which civil or criminal cases whose proper, preferred, or permissible venue is laid within Chesterfield County are to be tried. With respect to such orders, in case of conflict between the provisions of this section and other provisions outside this section relating to venue in cases heard by the judges of general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts, all such other provisions are hereby superseded.

2025, c. 292.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.36. Where process returnable and trials held in certain cases.
All process, civil and criminal, returnable before a district court of a county shall, if the defendants or any of them reside in a city or town in which the court is held, be made returnable at the courtroom or place the court is held in such city or town, but if none of the defendants reside therein it shall be made returnable to the county seat, or to one of the other places where the court is held, whichever shall be nearer or more accessible to such defendant or defendants. If the process is made returnable to some other place than the county seat the place to which it is returnable shall be designated therein. For all jurisdictional requirements hereunder the county seat and each and all of the places designated for the holding of the court shall be deemed to be a part of each and every magisterial district in the county.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.37. Personnel continued in office.
The clerks, deputy clerks, referees, bailiffs and other officers and employees of county, municipal and juvenile and domestic relations courts shall continue in office in like positions with the general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts until the expiration of the term, if any, for which elected or appointed. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to effect or authorize any reduction in the compensation of any such officer or employee during such term.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.38. Authorization for substitute judges and personnel.
The Committee on District Courts established in § 16.1-69.33 shall, subject to the provision of § 16.1-69.37, establish guidelines and determine the necessity for the employment of substitute judges, clerks, deputy clerks and all other personnel of the district courts and authorize the employment of such personnel by the courts. For purposes of this chapter, the term "personnel," as related to the courts, shall not include probation officers and other social service officers of a juvenile and domestic relations district court. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall obtain pertinent personnel policies of local units of government as to personnel of courts not of record who become employees of district courts pursuant to this chapter, and he shall assist the Committee in the performance of its duties. The Committee may receive the advice and recommendations of the Executive Secretary with respect to authorization of personnel for the district courts, job classifications, salary scales, vacation and sick leave and related personnel matters.

The Committee may authorize the appointment of any personnel to serve one or more district courts within any district and in addition may authorize the clerk and deputy clerks of the circuit court of a political subdivision to serve as clerk and deputy clerks of one or more district courts within the political subdivision.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.39. Appointment of personnel.
All personnel shall be appointed by, serve at the pleasure of, and be subject to removal by the chief judge of the district court in which they serve. In the event of any personnel authorized to serve in both a general district court and juvenile and domestic relations district court within any district, appointments and removals shall be made by the chief judges of such courts and in the event of a tie vote on any such matter the chief judges of the district shall certify such fact to the Committee on District Courts who shall decide the matter. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable in the event of authorization for any deputy circuit court clerk or deputy clerk to serve any district court. Personnel subject to the provisions of this article shall not be subject to the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.39:1. Legal service to district court employees and magistrates.
All legal services for personnel of the district courts or magistrates in civil matters, including civil litigation, arising out of the performance of their duties, shall be provided by the office of the Attorney General. If, in the opinion of the Attorney General, it is impractical or uneconomical for such service to be rendered by his office, the Committee on District Courts may employ special counsel for such purpose, whose compensation shall be fixed by the Committee. The compensation for such special counsel shall be paid out of the funds appropriated for the administration of the district courts.

1977, c. 94; 1980, c. 197.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.4. References to former sections, articles or chapters of Title 16 or Title 16.1 as amended.
Whenever in this title any of the conditions, requirements, provisions or contents of any section, article or chapter of Title 16, as such title existed prior to July 1, 1956, or Title 16.1, as such title existed prior to July 1, 1973, are transferred in the same or in modified form to a new section, article or chapter, and whenever such former section, article or chapter is given a new number in this title, all references to any such former section, article or chapter of Title 16 or Title 16.1 appearing elsewhere in this Code other than in this title shall be construed to apply to the new or renumbered section, article or chapter containing such conditions, requirements, provisions or contents or portions thereof.

1956, c. 555; 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.40. Powers and duties of clerks; civil liability.
The clerk and deputy clerks shall be conservators of the peace within the territory for which the court has jurisdiction, and may, within such judicial district, issue warrants, detention orders, and other processes, original, mesne and final, both civil and criminal, commit to jail or other detention facility, or admit to bail upon recognizance, persons charged with crimes or before the court on civil petition, subject to the limitations set forth by law, and issue subpoenas for witnesses, writs of fieri facias and writs of possession and eviction, attachments and garnishments and abstracts of judgments. A record made in the performance of the clerk's official duties may be authenticated as a true copy by the clerk or by a deputy clerk without additional authentication by the judge to whom the clerk reports, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of § 8.01-391.

No clerk or deputy clerk shall issue any warrant or process based on complaint of his spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, parent-in-law, child-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, first cousin, guardian or ward. They may take affidavits and administer oaths and affirmations, take and certify depositions in the same manner as a notary public, perform such other notarial acts as allowed under § 47.1-12, take acknowledgments to deeds or other writings for purposes of recordation, and issue all other legal processes which may be issued by the judge of such court and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are conferred or imposed upon them by law. The clerk may also issue to interested persons informational brochures authorized by a judge of such court explaining the legal rights of such persons.

No clerk or deputy clerk shall be civilly liable for providing information or assistance that is within the scope of his duties.

The clerk shall develop, implement and administer procedures necessary for the efficient operation of the clerk's office, keep the records and accounts of the court, supervise nonjudicial personnel and discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by the judge.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1974, c. 671; 1978, c. 463; 1983, c. 135; 1985, c. 99; 1989, c. 229; 2001, cc. 488, 499; 2019, cc. 180, 700.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.40:2. Nontraffic offenses for which prepayment authorized; schedules, fines; prepayment of local ordinances.
A. The Supreme Court shall by rule, which may from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed, but which shall be uniform in its application throughout the Commonwealth, designate the nontraffic offenses for which a pretrial waiver of appearance, plea of guilty and fine payment may be accepted. Such offenses shall not include:

1. Indictable offenses;

2. Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanors;

3. Offenses which involve moral turpitude;

4. Any offenses involving injury to persons;

5. Any offense punishable by incarceration or by a fine of more than $500.

B. An appearance may be made in person or in writing by mail to a clerk of court or in person before a magistrate, prior to any date fixed for trial in court. Any person so appearing may enter a waiver of trial and plea of guilty and pay the fine established for the offense charged, with costs. He shall, prior to the plea, waiver and payment, be informed of his right to stand trial and that his signature to a plea of guilty will have the same force and effect as a judgment of court.

C. The Supreme Court, upon the recommendation of the Committee on District Courts, shall establish a schedule, within the limits prescribed by law, of the amounts of fines to be imposed upon prepayment of nontraffic offenses authorized as prepayable under subsection A, designating each offense specifically. The schedule, which may from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed, shall be uniform in its application throughout the Commonwealth. Such schedule shall not be construed or interpreted so as to limit the discretion of any trial judge trying individual cases at the time fixed for trial. The Rule of the Court establishing the schedule shall be prominently posted in the place where the fines are paid. Fines and costs shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Code or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

D. Local ordinances fulfilling the criteria set out in subsection A may be prepayable in a like manner if such ordinances appear in a schedule entered by order of the local circuit courts. The chief judge of each circuit may establish a schedule of the fines, within the limits prescribed by local ordinances to be imposed for prepayment of local ordinances designating each offense specifically. Upon the entry of such order it shall be forwarded within 10 days to the Supreme Court of Virginia by the clerk of the local circuit court. The schedule, which may from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed, shall be uniform in its application throughout the circuit. Such schedule shall not be construed or interpreted so as to limit the discretion of any trial judge trying individual cases at the time fixed for trial. This schedule shall be prominently posted in the place where the fines are paid. Fines and costs shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Code or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

1978, c. 605; 1989, c. 421; 2011, c. 694.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.40:3. Financial responsibilities of judges and clerks.
The judge of each district court shall have management responsibility over the collection and distribution of all funds received by such court; provided, however, that no judge or clerk shall incur personal liability for a shortage in such funds unless such shortage is a result of his negligence, failure to exercise appropriate supervision or intentional misconduct.

1979, c. 511.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.41. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1974, c. 3.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.42. Clerk when authorized by judge may execute appeal bonds; may make out and attest transcripts.
The clerk of a district court may, when authorized so to do by the judge of the court he serves, execute appeal bonds in appeals from judgment of the court. Any such clerk may make out and attest transcripts of the papers and records of the court for use in evidence elsewhere.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.43. Judge before whom accused was arraigned may hear case on merits; judge who has heard part of case may hear case to conclusion.
No rule shall hereafter be promulgated under the limitations of § 8.01-4 or otherwise, which would avoid or preclude the judge before whom an accused is arraigned in criminal cases from hearing all aspects of the case on its merits, or to avoid or preclude any judge in any case who has heard any part of the case on its merits, from hearing the case to its conclusion; provided, however, another judge may hear portions of a case where a judge is required to disqualify himself, in cases in which a mistrial is declared, or in cases which have been reversed on appeal, or in the event of sickness, disability or vacation of the judge. The parties to any suit, action, cause or prosecution may waive the provisions of this section. Such waiver shall be entered of record.

1973, c. 546.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.44. Salaries of judges.
Each district court judge shall be paid by the Commonwealth an annual salary that shall be fixed in the general appropriation acts and set at an amount equal to 90 percent of the annual salary fixed by state law for judges of the circuit courts.

Each substitute judge of a district court shall receive for his services a per diem compensation of $350, except when such judge sits pursuant to the provisions of Title 37.2, in which case compensation shall be limited to that provided in § 37.2-804. The judge replaced may certify that the substitute judge is entitled to $175 if the substitute judge acted in his official capacity for less than a full court docket or served less than four hours. A full-time judge elected to an initial term after January 1, 1974, shall also be prohibited from engaging in the practice of law.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1974, c. 612; 1976, cc. 374, 459, 667; 1979, c. 445; 1980, c. 536; 1984, c. 570; 1993, c. 327; 1999, c. 730; 2025, c. 249.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.45. Salaries of clerks and personnel.
The Committee on District Courts shall fix the salaries for the clerks and personnel of the district courts. Any county or city may supplement the salaries of the clerks and other personnel of the district court wholly out of local funds. However, no supplements may be paid to full-time district court judges or substitute judges. The Commonwealth shall assume the cost of any supplement being paid to a district court employee on January 1, 1980.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334; 1976, c. 667; 1980, c. 613; 2008, cc. 349, 804; 2012, c. 62.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.46. How salaries payable.
All salaries determined according to the provisions of §§ 16.1-69.44 and 16.1-69.45 and any salary payment required by § 16.1-69.37 shall be payable by the Commonwealth, except any supplements paid to district court employees. All annual salaries shall be paid in semimonthly installments within the limits fixed by the Committee.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2008, cc. 349, 804; 2018, c. 164.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.47. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1980, c. 194.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.47:1. Travel expenses of judges and clerks; how paid.
Any judge or clerk traveling more than five miles from the courthouse in the city or county in which he resides on court business shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Commonwealth for such of his actual expenses as are necessarily and ordinarily incidental to such travel. If conveyance is by public transportation, reimbursement shall be at the actual cost thereof. If conveyance is by private transportation, reimbursement shall be at the rate established for members of the General Assembly.

1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334; 1978, c. 404.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48. Fees and fines.
A. All fees collected by the judge, substitute judge, clerk or employees, but not including fees belonging to officers other than the judge, clerk or employees, of a general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court shall be paid promptly to the clerk of the circuit court who shall pay the same into the state treasury. Fees collected for services of the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be paid by the clerk of the circuit court, one-half of such fee shall be paid into the treasury of the county or city in which the offense for which warrant issued was committed, and the other one-half of such fees shall be paid by such clerk on his monthly remittance into the state treasury.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, fines collected for violations of city, town or county ordinances shall be paid promptly to the clerk of the circuit court who shall tender such collected fines on a monthly basis directly to the city, town or county whose ordinance has been violated and not to the state treasury. All fines collected for violations of the laws of the Commonwealth shall be paid promptly to the clerk of the circuit court who shall pay the same into the state treasury.

C. The word "fees" as used in this section shall include all moneys from every source, exclusive of monthly bank charges, and except collections for child support or support for a spouse or parent, including by way of illustration, but not limited to, the fees collected pursuant to §§ 15.2-1627.3, 16.1-69.48:1, 18.2-268.1 through 18.2-268.12, 18.2-271.1, 19.2-163, 19.2-368.18, 29.1-551, 46.2-383, 46.2-1135, 46.2-1137 and 46.2-1138.1.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1976, c. 465; 1977, c. 385; 1978, c. 611; 2006, c. 305; 2016, c. 244.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:1.01. Additional fee assessed for conviction of certain offenses.
Beginning May 1, 2003, the clerk shall assess a person, in addition to the fees provided for by § 16.1-69.48:1, a fee of $100 upon conviction of any and each charge of a violation of §§ 18.2-36.1, 18.2-51.4, 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, 18.2-268.3, 46.2-341.24 or § 46.2-341.26:3, or any similar local ordinance.

2003, c. 1042, cl. 9.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:1.02. Additional fee assessed for conviction requiring computer analysis.
In addition to the fees provided for by § 16.1-69.48:1, upon a finding of guilty of any charge or charges in which any computer forensic analysis revealed evidence used at trial of a defendant, the defendant may be assessed costs in an amount equal to the actual cost of the computer forensic analysis not to exceed $100 for each computer analyzed by any state or local law-enforcement agency. Upon motion and submission to the court of an affidavit by the law-enforcement agency setting forth the number of computers analyzed and the total amount of costs requested, the court shall determine the appropriate amount to be assessed and order such amount paid to the law-enforcement agency.

2011, c. 511.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:2. Fees for services of district court judges and clerks and magistrates in civil cases.
Fees in civil cases for services performed by the judges or clerks of general district courts or magistrates in the event any such services are performed by magistrates in civil cases shall be as provided in this section, and, unless otherwise provided, shall be included in the taxed costs and shall not be refundable, except in case of error or as herein provided.

For all court and magistrate services in each distress, detinue, interrogatory summons, unlawful detainer, civil warrant, notice of motion, garnishment, attachment issued, or other civil proceeding, the fee shall be $36. No such fee shall be collected (i) in any tax case instituted by any county, city or town or (ii) in any case instituted by a school board for collection of overdue book rental fees. Of the fees collected under this section, $10 of each such fee collected shall be apportioned to the Courts Technology Fund established under § 17.1-132.

The judge or clerk shall collect the foregoing fee at the time of issuing process. Any magistrate or other issuing officer shall collect the foregoing fee at the time of issuing process, and shall remit the entire fee promptly to the court to which such process is returnable, or to its clerk. When no service of process is had on a defendant named in any civil process other than a notice of motion for judgment, such process may be reissued once by the court or clerk at the court's direction by changing the return day of such process, for which service by the court or clerk there shall be no charge; however, reissuance of such process shall be within three months after the original return day.

The clerk of any district court may charge a fee for making a copy of any paper of record to go out of his office which is not otherwise specifically provided for. The amount of this fee shall be set in the discretion of the clerk but shall not exceed $1 for the first two pages and $.50 for each page thereafter.

The fees prescribed in this section shall be the only fees charged in civil cases for services performed by such judges and clerks, and when the services referred to herein are performed by magistrates such fees shall be the only fees charged by such magistrates for the prescribed services.

Code 1950, § 14-133; 1954, c. 287; 1956, c. 556; 1958, c. 555; 1960, cc. 17, 106; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-125; 1970, c. 569; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 155, 253; 1973, c. 545; 1975, c. 591; 1982, c. 569; 1983, c. 499; 1984, cc. 293, 702; 1990, c. 943; 1991, c. 577; 1992, c. 555; 1997, c. 42; 1998, c. 872; 2003, c. 1039; 2006, cc. 623, 718; 2010, c. 874; 2011, c. 890; 2020, c. 1289; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 56; 2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:3. Fees charged to drug offenders.
Whenever in a general district court the costs provided for in subsection C of § 16.1-69.48:1 are assessed for a violation of any provision of Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, a portion of the costs, as specified in subsection C of § 16.1-69.48:1, shall be included in the taxed costs and paid into the Drug Offender Assessment and Treatment Fund.

1995, c. 463, § 14.1-134.1; 1998, cc. 783, 840, 872; 2002, c. 831; 2004, c. 1004.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:4. Costs generally.
The provisions of Chapter 6 (§ 17.1-600 et seq.) of Title 17.1 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the laws of costs in the district courts.

1998, c. 872.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:5. Fees for services of juvenile and domestic relations district court judges and clerks in certain civil cases.
Except as otherwise provided, upon the initial commencement of any case in the juvenile and domestic relations district court pursuant to subdivision A 3 of § 16.1-241 when the custody or visitation of a child is a subject of controversy or requires determination, there shall be a filing fee of $25. However, only one $25 fee shall be required for all custody and visitation petitions simultaneously initiated by a single petitioner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be no other fees or costs added to this fee as a condition of filing. No case to which this fee is applicable shall be set for hearing by the clerk until this fee has been paid except on account of poverty as provided in § 17.1-606. Fees shall be paid to the clerk in the jurisdiction in which the petition is filed.

This fee shall not be charged in any case brought by an agent of the Commonwealth or of a local government entity.

When service of process is had on the respondent named in a petition for which the filing fee established by this section has been paid, such petition may be reissued once by changing the return day of such process, for which service there shall be no charge; however, reissuance of such process shall be within three months after the original return day.

In the case of an appeal filed pursuant to § 16.1-296, the clerk shall collect any applicable fees for service of process of the notice of appeal in the circuit court from the appellant prior to transmitting the case to the clerk of the circuit court. For purposes of this section, service of process in the circuit court may include service on the appellee by the sheriff or private process server or certified or registered mail, and service on the attorney for the appellee by regular mail.

2003, c. 906; 2004, cc. 366, 659, 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.48:6. Fees for offenses related to sex trafficking.
The court shall order any person convicted of a misdemeanor violation of § 18.2-346.01 or of § 18.2-348 or 18.2-349 to pay a $100 fee, which shall be deposited into the Virginia Prevention of Sex Trafficking Fund to be used in accordance with § 9.1-116.4.

2019, c. 728; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.49. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1978, c. 611.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.5. Meaning of certain terms.
Unless the context should otherwise require, the terms set out in this section shall be construed as follows:

(a) "Courts not of record" shall mean all courts in the Commonwealth below the jurisdictional level of the circuit courts including general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts;

(b) "General district courts" shall mean all courts not of record, except juvenile and domestic relations district courts in counties and cities heretofore designated as county and municipal courts;

(c) "Juvenile and domestic relations district courts" shall mean all courts in counties and cities heretofore designated as juvenile and domestic relations courts or regional juvenile and domestic relations courts;

(d) "District courts" shall mean general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts;

(e) "County courts" and "municipal courts" shall be deemed to refer to general district courts;

(f) "Juvenile and domestic relations courts" and "regional juvenile and domestic relations courts" shall be deemed to refer to juvenile and domestic relations district courts; and

(g) "Chief judge" shall mean that judge so designated for a term to assume primary administrative responsibility for the general district courts or the juvenile and domestic relations district courts in the district served by such judge.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.50. Quarters for court and clerk.
Each county and city having a general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court shall provide suitable quarters for such court and its clerk and social services staff and a suitable room or rooms for the sessions of the court at the places designated for such purpose, except that if the court of a county is held in a city or town, other than the county seat, such city or town shall provide a suitable place for the court to be held. Such county or city shall also provide all necessary furniture, filing cabinets and other equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the court.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.51. Books, supplies, etc.; how furnished; Committee to determine form of records.
The Commonwealth shall provide dockets and other books, stationery and supplies necessary for the efficient operation of all district courts. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Committee on District Courts, after consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, may determine the form and character of the records of the district courts and magistrates. All dockets shall be uniform, and the form thereof shall also be subject to approval by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334; 1985, c. 133.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.51:1. Display of flags in courtrooms.
There shall be displayed inside each courtroom of all district courts in the cities and counties of the Commonwealth the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The governing bodies of the respective counties and cities shall make provision for such display and may accept gifts or flags for such purpose.

1976, c. 445.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.52. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1983, c. 499.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.53. Definitions; construction of references to period of years.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Court records" shall include case records, financial records and administrative records as defined in this section.

"Case records" shall mean all documents, dockets and indices.

"Documents" shall mean all motions for judgment, bills of complaint, answers, bills of particulars, other pleadings, interrogatories, motions in writing, warrants, summonses, petitions, proof of service, witness summonses and subpoenas, documents received in evidence, transcripts, orders, judgments, writs, and any other similar case-related records and papers in the possession of the district courts and filed with the pleadings in the case.

"Financial records" shall mean all papers and records related to the receipt and disbursement of money by the district court.

"Administrative records" shall mean all other court papers and records not otherwise defined.

Whenever a reference to a period of years for the retention of documents is made in this section, it shall be construed to commence on January 2 of the first year following (i) the final adjudication of a civil case or (ii) the final disposition in all other cases, unless otherwise specified herein. In foster care cases, the final disposition date is the date of transfer of custody to a local board of social services or a child welfare agency.

1983, c. 499; 2002, c. 747.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.54. General provisions.
A. Each district court shall retain and store its court records as provided in this article. The Committee on District Courts, after consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, shall determine the methods of processing, retention, reproduction and disposal of records and information in district courts, including records required to be retained in district courts by statute.

B. Whenever a court record has been reproduced for the purpose of record retention under this article, such original may be disposed of upon completion of the Commonwealth's audit of the court records unless approval is given by the Auditor of Public Accounts for earlier disposition. In the event of such reproduction, the reproduction of the court record shall be retained in accordance with the retention periods specified in this section. The reproduction shall have the same force and effect as the original court record and shall be given the same faith and credit to which the original itself would have been entitled in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

C. Electronic case papers, whether originating in electronic form or converted to electronic form, shall constitute the official record of the case. Such electronic case papers shall also fulfill any statutory requirement that requires an original, original paper, paper, record, document, facsimile, memorandum, exhibit, certification, or transcript if such electronic case papers are in an electronic form approved by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court. When case papers are transmitted between the district and circuit courts and there is an agreement between the chief judge of the applicable district court and the clerk of the circuit court for the electronic transmission of case papers, the case papers shall be transmitted between the courts by an electronic method approved by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, with the exception of any exhibit that cannot be electronically transmitted. The clerk in the appellate court may also request that any paper trial records be forwarded to such clerk.

1983, c. 499; 2018, cc. 32, 134.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.56. Retention of financial and administrative records.
Appropriate retention periods for the financial and administrative records of the district courts and magistrates shall be prescribed by the Supreme Court of Virginia. In the case of financial records only, the retention period prescribed by the court shall be subject to approval by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.57. Destruction of court records.
The clerk of each district court shall destroy the court records upon expiration of the appropriate retention period as set forth in §§ 16.1-69.55 and 16.1-69.56 and consistent with the requirements of confidentiality for juvenile records. The Supreme Court shall determine the methods to be used in destroying court records. Likewise, magistrates shall destroy records retained in the office of the magistrate upon the expiration of the appropriate retention period as set forth in § 16.1-69.56.

1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.58. Processing, retention and reproduction of court records; retention and destruction of records in which final disposition was entered before January 1, 1985.
The Committee on District Courts, after consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, shall determine the methods for processing, retention and reproduction of court records and all other records required by statute to be retained in the district courts and for records retained in the office of the magistrate.

The provisions for retention and destruction of records contained in §§ 16.1-117, 16.1-118 and 16.1-118.1 shall apply to court records in district court cases in which a final disposition was entered before January 1, 1985.

1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.6:1. Number of judges.
For the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, the maximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside within their respective districts, except as provided in § 16.1-69.16, and whose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed for general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges.

The maximum number of judges of the districts shall be as follows:

General District	Juvenile and Domestic
Court Judges	Relations District Court Judges
First	4	4
Second	7	7
Two-A	2	1
Third	2	3
Fourth	6	5
Fifth	3	2
Sixth	5	3
Seventh	4	4
Eighth	3	3
Ninth	4	4
Tenth	3	3
Eleventh	3	3
Twelfth	5	6
Thirteenth	6	5
Fourteenth	5	5
Fifteenth	8	9
Sixteenth	4	6
Seventeenth	3	2
Eighteenth	2	2
Nineteenth	12	8
Twentieth	4	4
Twenty-first	2	2
Twenty-second	3	4
Twenty-third	4	5
Twenty-fourth	3	6
Twenty-fifth	4	5
Twenty-sixth	5	7
Twenty-seventh	5	5
Twenty-eighth	3	3
Twenty-ninth	2	3
Thirtieth	2	3
Thirty-first	6	6

The election or appointment of any district judge shall be subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.9:3.

1974, c. 1; 1975, c. 41; 1976, c. 56; 1977, c. 5; 1978, c. 2; 1979, c. 7; 1980, c. 93; 1981, c. 26; 1982, c. 4; 1983, c. 1; 1985, c. 44; 1986, c. 75; 1987, c. 16; 1988, c. 22; 1989, c. 44; 1990, c. 112; 1992, c. 91; 1993, cc. 8, 31; 1994, c. 89; 1994, 1st Sp. Sess., cc. 3, 7; 1995, c. 20; 1996, c. 121; 1997, c. 16; 1998, c. 2; 1999, c. 11; 2000, c. 43; 2001, c. 16; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 4; 2005, cc. 189, 228, 951; 2006, cc. 34, 488; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2014, cc. 812, 822; 2016, c. 728; 2018, cc. 126, 135; 2020, cc. 343, 586; 2023, cc. 72, 73; 2024, cc. 525, 606; 2025, cc. 575, 582.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.7. District courts.
On and after July 1, 1973, in every county and city there shall be one court which shall be called the "________________ (Name of County or City) General District Court" and one court which shall be called the "________________ (Name of County or City) Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court," and for each such court there shall be one or more judges who shall be called the judge of such general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court as appropriate. Unless the General Assembly specifically so provides to the contrary, however, no general district court shall be established in any city in which there is no municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction in operation prior to July 1, 1973, and jurisdiction previously exercised in such city by a county court shall be vested in the general district court of such county.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.7:1. Establishment of certain district courts.
A. On and after July 1, 1973, there shall be established in the City of Galax, one general district court and one juvenile and domestic relations district court and for each such court there shall be one or more judges who shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Chapter 4.1 (§ 16.1-69.1 et seq.) of Title 16.1. Such courts shall possess all the jurisdiction and exercise all the powers and authority in cases therein granted to district courts according to general law, within the territory which they serve.

B. Each such judge shall cause to be collected such costs and fees as allowed by law for services performed by judges, clerks, or employees of the district courts. All fines and fees collected shall be accounted for according to general law and city ordinances and paid into the treasury of the city or to the State, whichever may be entitled thereto, pursuant to § 16.1-69.48.

1976, c. 319.

Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.8. Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception.
The present system of courts not of record is continued as follows on and after July 1, 1973:

(a) The county court in each county shall continue as the general district court of such county with the same powers and with territorial jurisdiction over such county and over any city within the county for which a municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction or separate general district court has not been established.

(b) The municipal court or courts in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic relations courts, shall continue as the general district court of the city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction over such city; provided that in the case of more than one such municipal court in operation in any city, all such courts shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial jurisdiction merged in the general district court.

(c) The juvenile and domestic relations court of each county and city shall continue as the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction as heretofore provided.

(d) The municipal court of any town and/or other court of any town having general civil and criminal jurisdiction however called shall be abolished and all jurisdiction and power conferred upon any such court shall pass to and be exercised by the district courts having jurisdiction over the county wherein the town is located.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2018, c. 164.
Code of Virginia — Title 16.1 (Courts Not of Record), Chapter 4.1 (DISTRICT COURTS)
§ 16.1-69.9. Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed.
Every judge or justice and every associate, assistant and substitute judge or justice of a court not of record in office January 1, 1973, shall continue in office as a judge or substitute judge of such court under its designation as a general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court until the expiration of the term for which he was appointed or elected, or until a vacancy shall occur in his office or until a successor shall be appointed or elected, whichever is the latter.

Upon the expiration of such terms, or when a vacancy occurs, successors shall be elected only as authorized pursuant to §§ 16.1-69.10 and 16.1-69.14 and for the term and in the manner following:

1. With respect to terms expiring on or after July 1, 1980, successors to judges shall be elected for a term of six years by the General Assembly as provided in subdivision 2.

Any vacancy in the office of any full-time district court judge shall be filled for a full term of six years in the manner prescribed herein; provided that such vacancy shall not be filled except as provided in § 16.1-69.9:3.

2. Full-time district court judges shall be elected by the majority of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly. No person shall be elected or reelected to a subsequent term under this section until he has submitted to a criminal history record search and submitted to a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect and reports of such searches have been received by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. If the person has not met the requirement of filing in the preceding calendar year a disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 or 30-111, he shall also provide a written statement of economic interests on the disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. The judges of the circuit court having jurisdiction over the district may nominate a panel of no more than three persons for each judgeship within the district who are deemed qualified to hold the office. The General Assembly may consider such nominations in electing a judge to fill the office but may elect a person not on such panel to fill the office. Nominations shall be forwarded to the clerks of both houses of the General Assembly on or before December 15.

3. No person with a criminal conviction for a felony shall be appointed as a substitute judge.

If an appointment is to be made by two or more judges and there is a tie vote, then the senior judge of the circuit court having jurisdiction in the district shall make the appointment.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 5; 1976, c. 374; 1977, c. 536; 1980, c. 194; 2004, c. 452; 2018, c. 578.