reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-1644 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1644. Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election

A. Whenever a number of voters equal to at least one third of the voters of a county registered in the county on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition, petition the circuit court of such county, or whenever the governing body of any county by resolution duly adopted requests the circuit court for such county, for an election in such county on the question of the removal of the courthouse to one or more places specified in the petition or resolution, such court shall issue a writ of election in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which shall fix the day of holding such election. Such petition shall also state the amount to be appropriated by the board of supervisors for the purchase of land, unless the land is to be donated, and for the erection of necessary buildings and improvements at the new location.B. If the courthouse is used before and after removal for any city as well as for the county, then the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to at least one-third of the total number of voters registered in the locality on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition. The registered voters of such city shall be eligible to sign the petition. The petition shall state the amounts to be appropriated by both the county and city. The voters of such city shall be eligible to vote in any election on the question of relocating the courthouse. The court shall issue a writ of election to such city the same as issued to and for the county.The votes of such city voters shall be treated as if they were cast by qualified voters of the county for the purposes of these sections (§§ 15.2-1644 through 15.2-1654).C. In the case of the removal of a county courthouse that is not located in a city or town, and that is not being relocated to a city or town, such removal shall not require a petition or approval by the voters. However, this subsection shall not apply to the removal or relocation of any county courthouse, whether located on county or city property, that is entirely surrounded by a city, and any such courthouse shall be removed or relocated only in accordance with the provisions of subsections A and B.Code 1950, § 15-43; 1956, c. 95; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-559; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1975, c. 517; 1978, c. 380; 1997, c. 587; 2017, c. 487; 2018, c. 732.
VA Code § 15.2-1645 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1645. How election held and conducted

The election specified in § 15.2-1644 shall be held and conducted as other special elections are held and conducted.Code 1950, § 15-44; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-560; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1646 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1646. Certification of result to board of supervisors; procuring land and buildings; relocation to contiguous or nearby land

If it appears from the returns that a majority of the votes cast at the election specified in § 15.2-1644 are for the removal of the courthouse to one of the places specified in the petition or resolution, the results shall be certified to the board of supervisors of the county, with the amount authorized to be expended for land, if not donated, and for necessary buildings and improvements. If the vote is for removal, the board of supervisors shall at once proceed to acquire the necessary land at the new location, if the same has not been donated, and to erect the necessary buildings and improvements.The relocation or expansion of a courthouse to (i) land contiguous with its present location, including contiguous property directly across a public right-of-way, or (ii) any property within 1,000 feet of the parcel upon which the courthouse is located, and within the same county, city, or town is not such a removal as to require authorization by the electorate.The provisions of these sections requiring authorization by the electorate shall not apply, in the case of a joint court system, between Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, James City County and the City of Williamsburg, York County and the City of Poquoson, and Greensville County and the City of Emporia, to the relocation of the courthouse to other land within the localities which it serves, from its present location, if the governing bodies find by concurrent resolutions that the existing courthouse is inadequate and that renovation or expansion of the existing courthouse is not feasible.Code 1950, § 15-45; 1956, c. 95; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-561; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1975, c. 59; 1976, c. 497; 1994, c. 504; 1997, cc. 587, 598; 2005, c. 36; 2018, c. 582; 2020, c. 139.
VA Code § 15.2-1647 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1647. Removal of court

As soon as the courthouse is completed, the board of supervisors shall certify the fact to the judge of the circuit court for the county, who shall, after sixty days' notice, to be published in a newspaper in the county if any, and if none, then in a newspaper having general circulation in the county, order his court to be held in the new location.Code 1950, § 15-46; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-562; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1648 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1648. Donation of land and money

Any town or individual may donate to the county the land necessary for its uses at any of the locations named in the petition, which shall not be less than one acre, and may offer as an inducement for such removal such sum of money as may be desired. Any offer to donate the land shall be accompanied by a deed for the land, to be regularly executed and placed in the hands of the clerk of the county. Any offer of money shall be accompanied by a certified check or other satisfactory security to be likewise placed in the hands of the clerk to be delivered by him to the treasurer of the county. If the location stated in the deed or offer of money is selected by the voters, the treasurer shall record the deed and collect and place the fund to the credit of the county to be drawn on by the board of supervisors as hereinafter directed.Code 1950, § 15-47; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-563; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1649 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1649. Town may issue bonds to finance donation; election on bonds

When any town desires to donate to the county any land or sums of money as an inducement for such removal and the town has not sufficient funds in its treasury as it may desire to offer, the town may borrow the money and issue its bonds therefor. Whenever a number of voters equal to at least twenty-five percent of the voters of such town, registered in the town on the January 1 preceding the filing of the petition, petition the circuit court for the county wherein such town is located for an election to be held on such bond issue, the circuit court shall, in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, issue a writ of election, ordering a special election upon such bond issue, in which the date of holding such election in the town shall be fixed. Such petition shall state the purposes for which the proceeds of such bond issue shall be used, and the amount of such issue. The election shall be held and the vote canvassed and returns made in accordance with the requirements of the general election law, except that the certificate of the electoral board shall be as follows:"We hereby certify that at the election held in the town of............ on the.......... day of.........., 20....., upon the question of a bond issue of.......... dollars, to be used as a donation to.......... county as an inducement for removal of the courthouse of the county to the town,..... votes were cast for the bond issue and..... votes were cast against the bond issue."The ballots used in the election shall be as follows:"Shall the Town of............. issue bonds to the amount of............ dollars to be used as a donation to.......... County, as an inducement for the removal of the courthouse?[ ] Yes[ ] No"The electoral board shall certify in duplicate the vote cast in such elections, for and against the bond issue, one of such certificates to be filed with the clerk of the county and the other with the judge of the circuit court.Such election shall be subject to inquiry in the manner provided by § 15.2-1654.Code 1950, § 15-48; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-564; 1975, c. 517; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1650 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1650. When and how council to issue bonds; payment of interest; sinking fund

If a majority of the voters in the town taking part in such election vote in favor of the bond issue, the council of the town may issue its bonds to the amount set out in the petition, either coupon or registered, signed by its mayor, and attested by the town clerk, and deliver the same to the clerk of the county as satisfactory security for the obligations imposed by this section. The council of the town may make annual appropriations out of the revenues of the town to pay the interest on the bonds and to provide a sinking fund for the redemption of the bonds by special levy or otherwise.Code 1950, § 15-49; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-565; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1651 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1651. When supervisors may issue bonds of county

If the land is not donated, and the fund offered is not sufficient to acquire the land and erect the necessary buildings, or if the land is donated and the fund offered is not sufficient for the purposes aforesaid, the board of supervisors may issue the bonds of the county to an amount which with the fund offered shall be equal to the amount set out in the petition, and the proceeds of the bonds with the amount donated shall constitute the fund out of which the land shall be acquired, if not donated, and the buildings erected and improvements made. If the financial condition of the county is such as to render the issue of bonds unnecessary, the supervisors may decline to issue them. However, the amount expended shall not exceed the amount named in the petition and authorized by the voters.Code 1950, § 15-50; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-566; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1652 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1652. Form of ballots for county election on removal and appropriation; certificate of electoral board

The ballots used in the election required by § 15.2-1644 shall be as follows:"Shall the courthouse be removed to........., and shall the Board of Supervisors be permitted to spend $..... therefor?[ ] Yes[ ] No"The manner of ascertaining the vote and making returns thereof shall conform in all respects to the requirements of the general election law, except that the certificate of the electoral board shall be as follows:"We hereby certify, that at the election held on the.......... day of........., 20....., upon the question of removing the courthouse to.......... and permitting the expenditure of $..... therefor,..... votes were cast Yes; and..... votes were cast No."Code 1950, § 15-51; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-567; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1977, c. 306; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1653 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1653. Ascertaining results

The electoral board shall ascertain the vote from the returns, and shall certify in duplicate the votes cast for removal and authorizing the expenditure of the amount stated in the petition and against removal. One of the certificates shall be filed with the county clerk and the other with the judge of the circuit court.Code 1950, § 15-52; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-568; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1655 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1655. No other election held for ten years

After an election has been held in any county upon the question of the removal of its courthouse, no other such election shall be held within ten years.Code 1950, § 15-54; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-570; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1656 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 16 - Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies|§ 15.2-1656. Supplies and equipment to be furnished to clerks of courts of record

The governing body of each county and city shall, at the expense of the county or city, provide (i) suitable books and stationery, in addition to supplies furnished by the Commonwealth, for the use of clerks of all courts of record, together with appropriate cases and other furniture, for the safe and convenient keeping of all the books, documents and papers, in the custody of such officers; (ii) official seals for such officers; and (iii) such other office equipment, electronic or other systems, and appliances as in their judgment may be reasonably necessary for the proper conduct of such offices.Code 1950, § 15-10.1; 1954, c. 652; 1956, c. 480; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-19; 1973, c. 544; 1980, c. 549; 1997, c. 587; 2014, cc. 360, 589.
VA Code § 15.2-1700 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1700. Preservation of peace and good order

Any locality may provide for the protection of its inhabitants and property and for the preservation of peace and good order therein.Code 1950, § 15-556; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-137; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1701 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1701. Organization of police forces

Any locality may, by ordinance, provide for the organization of its authorized police forces. Such forces shall include a chief of police, and such officers and other personnel as appropriate.When a locality provides for a police department, the chief of police shall be the chief law-enforcement officer of that locality. However, in towns, the chief law-enforcement officer may be called the town sergeant.1979, c. 333, § 15.1-131.7; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1703 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1703. Referendum to abolish county police force

The police force in any county which established the force subsequent to July 1, 1983, may be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the sheriff's office after a referendum held pursuant to this section.Either (i) the voters of the county by petition signed by not less than ten percent of the registered voters therein on the January 1 preceding the filing of the petition or (ii) the governing body of the county, by resolution, may petition the circuit court for the county that a referendum be held on the question, "Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff's office?" The court, by order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the county at the next general election held in the county to open the polls and take the sense of the voters on the question as herein provided. The clerk of the circuit court for the county shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the election.The ballot shall be printed as follows:"Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff's office?[ ] Yes[ ] No"The election shall be held and the results certified as provided in § 24.2-684. If a majority of the voters voting in the election vote in favor of the question, the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of the election, and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the governing body of the county. The governing body shall proceed with the necessary action to abolish the police force and transfer its responsibilities to the sheriff's office, to become effective on July 1 following the referendum.Once a referendum has been held pursuant to this section, no further referendum shall be held pursuant to this section within four years thereafter.1988, c. 660, § 15.1-131.6:2; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1704 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1704. Powers and duties of police force

A. The police force of a locality is hereby invested with all the power and authority which formerly belonged to the office of constable at common law and is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of criminals, the safeguard of life and property, the preservation of peace and the enforcement of state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.B. A police officer has no authority in civil matters, except (i) to execute and serve temporary detention and emergency custody orders and any other powers granted to law-enforcement officers in § 16.1-340, 16.1-340.1, 37.2-808, or 37.2-809, (ii) to serve an order of protection pursuant to §§ 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, and 16.1-279.1, (iii) to execute all warrants or summons as may be placed in his hands by any magistrate serving the locality and to make due return thereof, and (iv) to deliver, serve, execute, and enforce orders of isolation and quarantine issued pursuant to §§ 32.1-48.09, 32.1-48.012, and 32.1-48.014 and to deliver, serve, execute, and enforce an emergency custody order issued pursuant to § 32.1-48.02. A town police officer, after receiving training under subdivision 8 of § 9.1-102, may, with the concurrence of the local sheriff, also serve civil papers, and make return thereof, only when the town is the plaintiff and the defendant can be found within the corporate limits of the town.Code 1950, § 15-557; 1960, c. 167; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-138; 1982, c. 38; 1984, c. 661; 1992, cc. 729, 742; 1995, c. 844; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 425; 1999, c. 495; 2007, c. 724; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2010, cc. 778, 825.
VA Code § 15.2-1706 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1706. Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements

A. All law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 and all jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1 must be certified through the successful completion of training at an approved criminal justice training academy in order to remain eligible for appointment or employment. In order to obtain such certification, all entry level law-enforcement officers seeking certification on or after July 1, 2003, shall successfully complete statewide certification examinations developed and administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Department may delegate administration of the examinations to an approved criminal justice training academy and may revoke such delegation at its discretion. The appointee's or employee's hiring agency must provide the Department of Criminal Justice Services with verification that law-enforcement or jail officers first hired after July 1, 1994, have met the minimum standards set forth in § 15.2-1705.B. The requirement for the successful completion of the law-enforcement certification examination may be waived by the Department of Criminal Justice Services based upon previous law-enforcement experience and training. To be eligible for such waiver, the individual must have applied for and been granted an exemption or partial exemption in accordance with § 9.1-116.1994, cc. 850, 905, § 15.1-131.8:1; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 1999, c. 635; 2002, c. 345; 2004, c. 477.
VA Code § 15.2-1708 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1708. Notice of decertification

A. Service of notice. The Board shall, within ten days of decertification, serve notice upon an affected officer, in person or by certified mail, and upon the law-enforcement or jail agency employing said officer, by certified mail, specifying the action taken and remedies available. The Board shall stay final action until the period for requesting a hearing expires.B. Decertification hearing. Any law-enforcement or jail officer who has been decertified may, within thirty days of receipt of notice served by the Board, request, by certified mail, a hearing which shall be granted by the Board. Upon receipt of such request, the Board shall set a date, time, and place for the hearing within sixty days and serve notice by certified mail upon the affected officer. The Board, or a committee thereof, shall conduct such hearing. The affected officer may be represented by counsel. In the absence of a request for hearing, decertification shall, without further proceedings, become final thirty days after the initial notice.C. Standard of review. The decertification of a law-enforcement or jail officer under § 15.2-1707 shall be sustained by the Board unless such law-enforcement or jail officer shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, good cause for his certification to be reinstated.D. Final decision after request for hearing. The Board shall render a final decision within thirty days.E. Notice of final action. The Board shall notify the officer and the law-enforcement or jail agency involved, by certified mail, of the final action regarding decertification.F. Reinstatement after decertification. Any officer who is decertified may, after a period of not less than five years, petition the Board to be considered for reinstatement of certification.1994, cc. 850, 905, § 15.1-131.8:3; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-1709 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 17 - Police and Public Order|§ 15.2-1709. Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers

Any sheriff or chief of police, any director or chief executive of any agency or department employing deputy sheriffs or law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101 or jail officers as defined in § 53.1-1, and the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services or his designee who discloses information about a former deputy sheriff's or law-enforcement officer's or jail officer's job performance or information requested pursuant to subsection B of § 15.2-1705 to a prospective law-enforcement or jail employer of the former appointee or employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless the information disclosed by the former employer was knowingly false or deliberately misleading, was rendered with malicious purpose, or violated any civil right of the former employee or appointee.1994, cc. 850, 905, § 15.1-131.8:4; 1995, c. 112; 1997, c. 587; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 32, 37.