{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.10.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.10.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.10.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.10.html"}],"law_id":74896,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74896,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.10","catch_line":"Number of judges","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1980, c. 194; 1999, c. 319.","full_text":"The number of general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, excluding substitute judges, shall be determined as follows:\n\na\n\nJudges in office on January 1, 1973, shall be permitted to complete their terms pursuant to &#xA7; 16.1-69.9;b\n\n[Repealed.]c\n\nOn and after January 1, 1974, the number of judges authorized in each district shall be determined by the General Assembly based on the requirement that all judges whose terms commence on and after July 1, 1980, serve on a full-time basis; andd\n\nOn and after July 1, 1980, the number of judges authorized in each district by the General Assembly shall be based on the requirement that no district judge whose term commences on or after July 1, 1980, shall be elected to serve in more than one district or to serve both a general district court and juvenile and domestic relations district court in any district; provided, however, that a judge may serve more than one general district court or more than one juvenile and domestic relations district court in one district. The Committee on District Courts shall make a study and report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 of each year on the number of judges needed and the districts for which they should be authorized. If the Committee recommends the creation of an additional judgeship in any district, it shall publish notice of such recommendation in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":269064,"text":"The number of general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, excluding substitute judges, shall be determined as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"a"},"1":{"id":269065,"text":"Judges in office on January 1, 1973, shall be permitted to complete their terms pursuant to &#xA7; 16.1-69.9;","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"b"},"2":{"id":269066,"text":"[Repealed.]","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"3":{"id":269067,"text":"On and after January 1, 1974, the number of judges authorized in each district shall be determined by the General Assembly based on the requirement that all judges whose terms commence on and after July 1, 1980, serve on a full-time basis; and","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"4":{"id":269068,"text":"On and after July 1, 1980, the number of judges authorized in each district by the General Assembly shall be based on the requirement that no district judge whose term commences on or after July 1, 1980, shall be elected to serve in more than one district or to serve both a general district court and juvenile and domestic relations district court in any district; provided, however, that a judge may serve more than one general district court or more than one juvenile and domestic relations district court in one district. The Committee on District Courts shall make a study and report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 of each year on the number of judges needed and the districts for which they should be authorized. If the Committee recommends the creation of an additional judgeship in any district, it shall publish notice of such recommendation in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14202,"edition_id":1,"name":"Districts; District Courts and Judges","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13142,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:16","permalink":{"id":162017,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14202,"identifier":"2","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13142,"edition_id":1,"name":"District Courts","identifier":"4.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","permalink":{"id":161993,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13142,"identifier":"4.1","token":"16.1\/4.1","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74896,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.10","catch_line":"Number of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.10\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.10","metadata":false},{"id":60380,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.11","catch_line":"Chief judges; judges; substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.11\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.11","metadata":false},{"id":64952,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.11:1","catch_line":"Acting chief judge","url":"\/16.1-69.11_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.11_1","metadata":false},{"id":68000,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.12","catch_line":"Limitations on practice of law by judges","url":"\/16.1-69.12\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.12","metadata":false},{"id":71972,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.13","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-69.13\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.13","metadata":false},{"id":69501,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.14","catch_line":"Number of substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.14\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.14","metadata":false},{"id":61440,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.15","catch_line":"Qualifications of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.15\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.15","metadata":false},{"id":78824,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.16","catch_line":"Residence requirements","url":"\/16.1-69.16\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.16","metadata":false},{"id":83141,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.17","catch_line":"Oath of office of judges, clerks and others","url":"\/16.1-69.17\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.17","metadata":false},{"id":86003,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.17:1","catch_line":"Time within which a judge may qualify; failure to do so vacates office","url":"\/16.1-69.17_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":75117,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.18","catch_line":"Bonds of judges, clerks, and others handling funds","url":"\/16.1-69.18\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.18","metadata":false},{"id":84267,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.19","catch_line":"Incompatible offices","url":"\/16.1-69.19\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.19","metadata":false},{"id":73339,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-69.20\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.20","metadata":false},{"id":65832,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.21","catch_line":"When substitute to serve; his powers and duties","url":"\/16.1-69.21\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.21","metadata":false},{"id":58346,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.22","catch_line":"Removal of judges and substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.22\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.22","metadata":false},{"id":66141,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.22:1","catch_line":"Temporary recall of retired district court judges; evaluation","url":"\/16.1-69.22_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.22_1","metadata":false},{"id":56292,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.23","catch_line":"In what cases judge disqualified","url":"\/16.1-69.23\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.23","metadata":false},{"id":66542,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.24","catch_line":"Contempt of court","url":"\/16.1-69.24\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.24","metadata":false},{"id":66287,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.25","catch_line":"Judge may issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas","url":"\/16.1-69.25\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25","metadata":false},{"id":79351,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.25:1","catch_line":"Judge shall order bill of particulars; time for motion","url":"\/16.1-69.25_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25_1","metadata":false},{"id":82607,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.26","catch_line":"Judges as conservators of the peace","url":"\/16.1-69.26\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.26","metadata":false},{"id":80094,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.27","catch_line":"Additional powers of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.27\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.27","metadata":false},{"id":60852,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.28","catch_line":"Commitment of insane, etc., persons","url":"\/16.1-69.28\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.28","metadata":false},{"id":55391,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.29","catch_line":"Jurisdiction over certain waters","url":"\/16.1-69.29\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.29","metadata":false},{"id":70053,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.29:1","catch_line":"Certain information to be made available to certain defendants found not guilty","url":"\/16.1-69.29_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.29_1","metadata":false},{"id":65606,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.6","catch_line":"Establishment of districts","url":"\/16.1-69.6\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6","metadata":false},{"id":83634,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.6:1","catch_line":"Number of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.6_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":65834,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.7","catch_line":"District courts","url":"\/16.1-69.7\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.7","metadata":false},{"id":83975,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.7:1","catch_line":"Establishment of certain district courts","url":"\/16.1-69.7_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":80456,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.8","catch_line":"Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception","url":"\/16.1-69.8\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.8","metadata":false},{"id":75903,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.9","catch_line":"Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed","url":"\/16.1-69.9\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9","metadata":false},{"id":81797,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:1","catch_line":"Appointment, terms, etc., of substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.9_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_1","metadata":false},{"id":68869,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:2","catch_line":"Vacancies in office of judges; terms of successor judges; appointment while General Assembly not in session","url":"\/16.1-69.9_2\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_2","metadata":false},{"id":72210,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:3","catch_line":"Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled","url":"\/16.1-69.9_3\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_3","metadata":false},{"id":82678,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:4","catch_line":"Same; election of successor judges","url":"\/16.1-69.9_4\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_4","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":60380,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.11","catch_line":"Chief judges; judges; substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.11\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.11","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.10\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 708 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 546; in 1980, chapter 194; in 1999, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0319\">319<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75903,"section_number":"16.1-69.9","catch_line":"Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.9\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75903,"section_number":"16.1-69.9","catch_line":"Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.9\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162019,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74896,"identifier":"16.1-69.10","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.10","url":"\/16.1-69.10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.10\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.10","dublin_core":{"Title":"Number of judges","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.10","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The number of general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> and juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span>, excluding substitute <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span>, shall be determined as follows:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"a\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">a.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Judges<\/span> in office on January 1, 1973, shall be permitted to complete their terms pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed\" href=\"\/16.1-69.9\/\">16.1-69.9<\/a>; <a id=\"paragraph-269065\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.10\/#a\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"b\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">b.<\/span> [Repealed.] <a id=\"paragraph-269066\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.10\/#b\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"c\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">c.<\/span> On and after January 1, 1974, the number of <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> authorized in each district shall be determined by the General Assembly based on the requirement that all <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> whose terms commence on and after July 1, 1980, serve on a full-time basis; and <a id=\"paragraph-269067\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.10\/#c\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"d\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">d.<\/span> On and after July 1, 1980, the number of <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> authorized in each district by the General Assembly shall be based on the requirement that no district <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> whose term commences on or after July 1, 1980, shall be elected to serve in more than one district or to serve both a general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> and juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> in any district; provided, however, that a <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> may serve more than one general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or more than one juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> in one district. The Committee on District <span class=\"dictionary\">Courts<\/span> shall make a study and report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 of each year on the number of <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> needed and the districts for which they should be authorized. If the Committee recommends the creation of an additional <span class=\"dictionary\">judgeship<\/span> in any district, it shall publish notice of such recommendation in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. <a id=\"paragraph-269068\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.10\/#d\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNUMBER OF JUDGES (\u00a7 16.1-69.10)\n\nThe number of general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations\ndistrict court judges, excluding substitute judges, shall be determined as\nfollows:\n\na. Judges in office on January 1, 1973, shall be permitted to complete their\nterms pursuant to &#xA7; 16.1-69.9;\n\nb. [Repealed.]\n\nc. On and after January 1, 1974, the number of judges authorized in each\ndistrict shall be determined by the General Assembly based on the requirement\nthat all judges whose terms commence on and after July 1, 1980, serve on a\nfull-time basis; and\n\nd. On and after July 1, 1980, the number of judges authorized in each district\nby the General Assembly shall be based on the requirement that no district judge\nwhose term commences on or after July 1, 1980, shall be elected to serve in more\nthan one district or to serve both a general district court and juvenile and\ndomestic relations district court in any district; provided, however, that a\njudge may serve more than one general district court or more than one juvenile\nand domestic relations district court in one district. The Committee on District\nCourts shall make a study and report to the General Assembly on or before\nDecember 1 of each year on the number of judges needed and the districts for\nwhich they should be authorized. If the Committee recommends the creation of an\nadditional judgeship in any district, it shall publish notice of such\nrecommendation in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed\nto practice in the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1980, c. 194; 1999, c. 319.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}