{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.16.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.16.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.16.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.16.html"}],"law_id":78824,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78824,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.16","catch_line":"Residence requirements","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1977, c. 25; 1991, c. 403.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery judge or substitute judge of a district court shall, during his term of office, reside within the boundaries of the district in which he serves as set out in &#xA7; 16.1-69.6; provided, that judges and substitute judges in office on January 1, 1977, or who are otherwise eligible may continue in office and shall be eligible for reappointment or reelection to successive terms in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 16.1-69.10.B\n\nNotwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the residency requirement set out herein shall not apply to any judge whose residence prior to July 1, 1977, is outside the boundaries of a new district created by &#xA7; 16.1-69.6, if such judge is a resident in the geographical area which encompassed the prior district. This provision shall also apply to any subsequent term for which he is elected.C\n\nWhen the boundary of a judicial district is changed to create a new judicial district, any duly elected or appointed judge of the existing judicial district may continue to serve as judge of the new judicial district if he resides therein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":282355,"text":"Every judge or substitute judge of a district court shall, during his term of office, reside within the boundaries of the district in which he serves as set out in &#xA7; 16.1-69.6; provided, that judges and substitute judges in office on January 1, 1977, or who are otherwise eligible may continue in office and shall be eligible for reappointment or reelection to successive terms in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 16.1-69.10.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":282356,"text":"Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the residency requirement set out herein shall not apply to any judge whose residence prior to July 1, 1977, is outside the boundaries of a new district created by &#xA7; 16.1-69.6, if such judge is a resident in the geographical area which encompassed the prior district. This provision shall also apply to any subsequent term for which he is elected.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":282357,"text":"When the boundary of a judicial district is changed to create a new judicial district, any duly elected or appointed judge of the existing judicial district may continue to serve as judge of the new judicial district if he resides therein.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.16\/","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 1977, chapter 25; in 1991, chapter 403.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83634,"section_number":"16.1-69.6:1","catch_line":"Number of judges","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.6_1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65606,"section_number":"16.1-69.6","catch_line":"Establishment of districts","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.6\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162047,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78824,"identifier":"16.1-69.16","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.16","url":"\/16.1-69.16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.16\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.16","dublin_core":{"Title":"Residence requirements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.16","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Every <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> or substitute <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of a district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall, during his term of office, reside within the boundaries of the district in which he serves as set out in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Establishment of districts\" href=\"\/16.1-69.6\/\">16.1-69.6<\/a>; provided, that <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> and substitute <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> in office on January 1, 1977, or who are otherwise eligible may continue in office and shall be eligible for reappointment or reelection to successive terms in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Number of judges\" href=\"\/16.1-69.10\/\">16.1-69.10<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-282355\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.16\/#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> Notwithstanding any provision of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> to the contrary, the residency requirement set out herein shall not apply to any <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> whose residence prior to July 1, 1977, is outside the boundaries of a new district created by &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Establishment of districts\" href=\"\/16.1-69.6\/\">16.1-69.6<\/a>, if such <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> is a resident in the geographical area which encompassed the prior district. This provision shall also apply to any subsequent term for which he is elected. <a id=\"paragraph-282356\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.16\/#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> When the boundary of a judicial district is changed to create a new judicial district, any duly elected or appointed <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of the existing judicial district may continue to serve as <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of the new judicial district if he resides therein. <a id=\"paragraph-282357\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.16\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS (\u00a7 16.1-69.16)\n\nA. Every judge or substitute judge of a district court shall, during his term of\noffice, reside within the boundaries of the district in which he serves as set\nout in &#xA7; 16.1-69.6; provided, that judges and substitute judges in office\non January 1, 1977, or who are otherwise eligible may continue in office and\nshall be eligible for reappointment or reelection to successive terms in\naccordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 16.1-69.10.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the residency\nrequirement set out herein shall not apply to any judge whose residence prior to\nJuly 1, 1977, is outside the boundaries of a new district created by &#xA7;\n16.1-69.6, if such judge is a resident in the geographical area which\nencompassed the prior district. This provision shall also apply to any\nsubsequent term for which he is elected.\n\nC. When the boundary of a judicial district is changed to create a new judicial\ndistrict, any duly elected or appointed judge of the existing judicial district\nmay continue to serve as judge of the new judicial district if he resides\ntherein.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1977, c. 25; 1991, c. 403.","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}}