{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.6.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.6.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.6.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.6.html"}],"law_id":65606,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65606,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.6","catch_line":"Establishment of districts","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1974, c. 297; 1976, c. 126; 1977, c. 5; 1983, c. 149; 1986, c. 405; 1987, c. 624; 1992, c. 744; 2006, c. 861; 2016, cc. 164, 312.","full_text":"On and after July 1, 1973, the Commonwealth shall be divided into districts encompassing all counties and cities in the Commonwealth to provide a basis for the sound and efficient administration of the courts not of record, as follows:\n\n1\n\nThe City of Chesapeake shall constitute the first district.2\n\nThe City of Virginia Beach shall constitute the second district.\n\t\t\t(2-A) The Counties of Accomack and Northampton shall constitute district two-A.3\n\nThe City of Portsmouth shall constitute the third district.4\n\nThe City of Norfolk shall constitute the fourth district.5\n\nThe Cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton shall constitute the fifth district.6\n\nThe Cities of Emporia and Hopewell and the Counties of Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Greensville and Brunswick shall constitute the sixth district.7\n\nThe City of Newport News shall constitute the seventh district.8\n\nThe City of Hampton shall constitute the eighth district.9\n\nThe Cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson and the Counties of York, James City, Charles City, New Kent, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William and King and Queen shall constitute the ninth district.10\n\nThe Counties of Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Halifax shall constitute the tenth district.11\n\nThe City of Petersburg and the Counties of Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Amelia and Powhatan shall constitute the eleventh district.12\n\nThe City of Colonial Heights and the County of Chesterfield shall constitute the twelfth district.13\n\nThe City of Richmond shall constitute the thirteenth district.14\n\nThe County of Henrico shall constitute the fourteenth district.15\n\nThe City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Richmond and Essex shall constitute the fifteenth district.16\n\nThe City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Madison, Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and Culpeper shall constitute the sixteenth district.17\n\nThe County of Arlington and the City of Falls Church shall constitute the seventeenth district.18\n\nThe City of Alexandria shall constitute the eighteenth district.19\n\nThe City of Fairfax and the County of Fairfax shall constitute the nineteenth district.20\n\nThe Counties of Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock shall constitute the twentieth district.21\n\nThe City of Martinsville and the Counties of Patrick and Henry shall constitute the twenty-first district.22\n\nThe City of Danville and the Counties of Pittsylvania and Franklin shall constitute the twenty-second district.23\n\nThe Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the County of Roanoke shall constitute the twenty-third district.24\n\nThe City of Lynchburg and the Counties of Nelson, Amherst, Campbell and Bedford shall constitute the twenty-fourth district.25\n\nThe Cities of Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista, and Waynesboro and the Counties of Highland, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, Alleghany, Botetourt and Craig shall constitute the twenty-fifth district.26\n\nThe Cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page and Rockingham shall constitute the twenty-sixth district.27\n\nThe Cities of Galax and Radford and the Counties of Pulaski, Wythe, Carroll, Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Bland and Grayson shall constitute the twenty-seventh district.28\n\nThe City of Bristol and the Counties of Smyth and Washington shall constitute the twenty-eighth district.29\n\nThe Counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell and Dickenson shall constitute the twenty-ninth district.30\n\nThe City of Norton and the Counties of Wise, Scott and Lee shall constitute the thirtieth district.31\n\nThe Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the County of Prince William shall constitute the thirty-first district.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":238455,"text":"On and after July 1, 1973, the Commonwealth shall be divided into districts encompassing all counties and cities in the Commonwealth to provide a basis for the sound and efficient administration of the courts not of record, as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":238456,"text":"The City of Chesapeake shall constitute the first district.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":238457,"text":"The City of Virginia Beach shall constitute the second district.\n\t\t\t(2-A) The Counties of Accomack and Northampton shall constitute district two-A.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":238458,"text":"The City of Portsmouth shall constitute the third district.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":238459,"text":"The City of Norfolk shall constitute the fourth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":238460,"text":"The Cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton shall constitute the fifth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":238461,"text":"The Cities of Emporia and Hopewell and the Counties of Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Greensville and Brunswick shall constitute the sixth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":238462,"text":"The City of Newport News shall constitute the seventh district.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":238463,"text":"The City of Hampton shall constitute the eighth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":238464,"text":"The Cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson and the Counties of York, James City, Charles City, New Kent, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William and King and Queen shall constitute the ninth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":238465,"text":"The Counties of Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Halifax shall constitute the tenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":238466,"text":"The City of Petersburg and the Counties of Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Amelia and Powhatan shall constitute the eleventh district.","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":238467,"text":"The City of Colonial Heights and the County of Chesterfield shall constitute the twelfth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":238468,"text":"The City of Richmond shall constitute the thirteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"14":{"id":238469,"text":"The County of Henrico shall constitute the fourteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13","next_prefix":"15"},"15":{"id":238470,"text":"The City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Richmond and Essex shall constitute the fifteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"15","prefix_anchor":"15","level":1,"prior_prefix":"14","next_prefix":"16"},"16":{"id":238471,"text":"The City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Madison, Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and Culpeper shall constitute the sixteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"16","prefix_anchor":"16","level":1,"prior_prefix":"15","next_prefix":"17"},"17":{"id":238472,"text":"The County of Arlington and the City of Falls Church shall constitute the seventeenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["17"],"prefix":"17","entire_prefix":"17","prefix_anchor":"17","level":1,"prior_prefix":"16","next_prefix":"18"},"18":{"id":238473,"text":"The City of Alexandria shall constitute the eighteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["18"],"prefix":"18","entire_prefix":"18","prefix_anchor":"18","level":1,"prior_prefix":"17","next_prefix":"19"},"19":{"id":238474,"text":"The City of Fairfax and the County of Fairfax shall constitute the nineteenth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["19"],"prefix":"19","entire_prefix":"19","prefix_anchor":"19","level":1,"prior_prefix":"18","next_prefix":"20"},"20":{"id":238475,"text":"The Counties of Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock shall constitute the twentieth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["20"],"prefix":"20","entire_prefix":"20","prefix_anchor":"20","level":1,"prior_prefix":"19","next_prefix":"21"},"21":{"id":238476,"text":"The City of Martinsville and the Counties of Patrick and Henry shall constitute the twenty-first district.","type":"section","prefixes":["21"],"prefix":"21","entire_prefix":"21","prefix_anchor":"21","level":1,"prior_prefix":"20","next_prefix":"22"},"22":{"id":238477,"text":"The City of Danville and the Counties of Pittsylvania and Franklin shall constitute the twenty-second district.","type":"section","prefixes":["22"],"prefix":"22","entire_prefix":"22","prefix_anchor":"22","level":1,"prior_prefix":"21","next_prefix":"23"},"23":{"id":238478,"text":"The Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the County of Roanoke shall constitute the twenty-third district.","type":"section","prefixes":["23"],"prefix":"23","entire_prefix":"23","prefix_anchor":"23","level":1,"prior_prefix":"22","next_prefix":"24"},"24":{"id":238479,"text":"The City of Lynchburg and the Counties of Nelson, Amherst, Campbell and Bedford shall constitute the twenty-fourth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["24"],"prefix":"24","entire_prefix":"24","prefix_anchor":"24","level":1,"prior_prefix":"23","next_prefix":"25"},"25":{"id":238480,"text":"The Cities of Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista, and Waynesboro and the Counties of Highland, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, Alleghany, Botetourt and Craig shall constitute the twenty-fifth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["25"],"prefix":"25","entire_prefix":"25","prefix_anchor":"25","level":1,"prior_prefix":"24","next_prefix":"26"},"26":{"id":238481,"text":"The Cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page and Rockingham shall constitute the twenty-sixth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["26"],"prefix":"26","entire_prefix":"26","prefix_anchor":"26","level":1,"prior_prefix":"25","next_prefix":"27"},"27":{"id":238482,"text":"The Cities of Galax and Radford and the Counties of Pulaski, Wythe, Carroll, Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Bland and Grayson shall constitute the twenty-seventh district.","type":"section","prefixes":["27"],"prefix":"27","entire_prefix":"27","prefix_anchor":"27","level":1,"prior_prefix":"26","next_prefix":"28"},"28":{"id":238483,"text":"The City of Bristol and the Counties of Smyth and Washington shall constitute the twenty-eighth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["28"],"prefix":"28","entire_prefix":"28","prefix_anchor":"28","level":1,"prior_prefix":"27","next_prefix":"29"},"29":{"id":238484,"text":"The Counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell and Dickenson shall constitute the twenty-ninth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["29"],"prefix":"29","entire_prefix":"29","prefix_anchor":"29","level":1,"prior_prefix":"28","next_prefix":"30"},"30":{"id":238485,"text":"The City of Norton and the Counties of Wise, Scott and Lee shall constitute the thirtieth district.","type":"section","prefixes":["30"],"prefix":"30","entire_prefix":"30","prefix_anchor":"30","level":1,"prior_prefix":"29","next_prefix":"31"},"31":{"id":238486,"text":"The Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the County of Prince William shall constitute the thirty-first district.","type":"section","prefixes":["31"],"prefix":"31","entire_prefix":"31","prefix_anchor":"31","level":1,"prior_prefix":"30"}},"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 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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 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guilty","url":"\/16.1-69.29_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.29_1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.6\/","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 10 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 1974, chapter 297; in 1976, chapter 126; in 1977, chapter 5; in 1983, chapter 149; in 1986, chapter 405; in 1987, chapter 624; in 1992, chapter 744; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0861\">861<\/a>; in 2016, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0164\">164<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0312\">312<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55451,"section_number":"15.2-1637","catch_line":"Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1637\/"},{"id":78502,"section_number":"15.2-3822","catch_line":"Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3822\/"},{"id":78824,"section_number":"16.1-69.16","catch_line":"Residence requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.16\/"},{"id":75117,"section_number":"16.1-69.18","catch_line":"Bonds of judges, clerks, and others handling funds","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.18\/"},{"id":55293,"section_number":"16.1-69.31","catch_line":"The duties of the Judicial Council","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.31\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":162119,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65606,"identifier":"16.1-69.6","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6","url":"\/16.1-69.6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.6\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6","dublin_core":{"Title":"Establishment of districts","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.6","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>On and after July 1, 1973, the Commonwealth shall be divided into districts encompassing all counties and cities in the Commonwealth to provide a basis for the sound and efficient administration of the <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> not of record, as follows:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The City of Chesapeake shall constitute the first district. <a id=\"paragraph-238456\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The City of Virginia Beach shall constitute the second district.\n\t\t\t(2-A) The Counties of Accomack and Northampton shall constitute district two-A. <a id=\"paragraph-238457\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The City of Portsmouth shall constitute the third district. <a id=\"paragraph-238458\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> The City of Norfolk shall constitute the fourth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238459\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"5\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> The Cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton shall constitute the fifth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238460\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"6\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> The Cities of Emporia and Hopewell and the Counties of Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Greensville and Brunswick shall constitute the sixth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238461\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"7\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">7.<\/span> The City of Newport News shall constitute the seventh district. <a id=\"paragraph-238462\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#7\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"8\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">8.<\/span> The City of Hampton shall constitute the eighth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238463\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#8\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"9\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">9.<\/span> The Cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson and the Counties of York, James City, Charles City, New Kent, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William and King and Queen shall constitute the ninth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238464\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#9\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"10\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">10.<\/span> The Counties of Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Halifax shall constitute the tenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238465\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#10\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"11\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">11.<\/span> The City of Petersburg and the Counties of Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Amelia and Powhatan shall constitute the eleventh district. <a id=\"paragraph-238466\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#11\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"12\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">12.<\/span> The City of Colonial Heights and the County of Chesterfield shall constitute the twelfth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238467\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#12\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"13\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">13.<\/span> The City of Richmond shall constitute the thirteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238468\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#13\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"14\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">14.<\/span> The County of Henrico shall constitute the fourteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238469\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#14\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"15\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">15.<\/span> The City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Richmond and Essex shall constitute the fifteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238470\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#15\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"16\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">16.<\/span> The City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Madison, Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and Culpeper shall constitute the sixteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238471\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#16\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"17\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">17.<\/span> The County of Arlington and the City of Falls Church shall constitute the seventeenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238472\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#17\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"18\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">18.<\/span> The City of Alexandria shall constitute the eighteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238473\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#18\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"19\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">19.<\/span> The City of Fairfax and the County of Fairfax shall constitute the nineteenth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238474\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#19\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"20\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">20.<\/span> The Counties of Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock shall constitute the twentieth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238475\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#20\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"21\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">21.<\/span> The City of Martinsville and the Counties of Patrick and Henry shall constitute the twenty-first district. <a id=\"paragraph-238476\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#21\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"22\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">22.<\/span> The City of Danville and the Counties of Pittsylvania and Franklin shall constitute the twenty-second district. <a id=\"paragraph-238477\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#22\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"23\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">23.<\/span> The Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the County of Roanoke shall constitute the twenty-third district. <a id=\"paragraph-238478\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#23\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"24\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">24.<\/span> The City of Lynchburg and the Counties of Nelson, Amherst, Campbell and Bedford shall constitute the twenty-fourth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238479\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#24\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"25\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">25.<\/span> The Cities of Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista, and Waynesboro and the Counties of Highland, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, Alleghany, Botetourt and Craig shall constitute the twenty-fifth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238480\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#25\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"26\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">26.<\/span> The Cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page and Rockingham shall constitute the twenty-sixth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238481\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#26\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"27\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">27.<\/span> The Cities of Galax and Radford and the Counties of Pulaski, Wythe, Carroll, Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Bland and Grayson shall constitute the twenty-seventh district. <a id=\"paragraph-238482\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#27\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"28\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">28.<\/span> The City of Bristol and the Counties of Smyth and Washington shall constitute the twenty-eighth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238483\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#28\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"29\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">29.<\/span> The Counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell and Dickenson shall constitute the twenty-ninth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238484\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#29\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"30\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">30.<\/span> The City of Norton and the Counties of Wise, Scott and Lee shall constitute the thirtieth district. <a id=\"paragraph-238485\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#30\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"31\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">31.<\/span> The Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the County of Prince William shall constitute the thirty-first district. <a id=\"paragraph-238486\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.6\/#31\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS (\u00a7 16.1-69.6)\n\nOn and after July 1, 1973, the Commonwealth shall be divided into districts\nencompassing all counties and cities in the Commonwealth to provide a basis for\nthe sound and efficient administration of the courts not of record, as follows:\n\n1. The City of Chesapeake shall constitute the first district.\n\n2. The City of Virginia Beach shall constitute the second district.\n\t\t\t(2-A) The Counties of Accomack and Northampton shall constitute district\ntwo-A.\n\n3. The City of Portsmouth shall constitute the third district.\n\n4. The City of Norfolk shall constitute the fourth district.\n\n5. The Cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the Counties of Isle of Wight and\nSouthampton shall constitute the fifth district.\n\n6. The Cities of Emporia and Hopewell and the Counties of Prince George, Surry,\nSussex, Greensville and Brunswick shall constitute the sixth district.\n\n7. The City of Newport News shall constitute the seventh district.\n\n8. The City of Hampton shall constitute the eighth district.\n\n9. The Cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson and the Counties of York, James City,\nCharles City, New Kent, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William and King\nand Queen shall constitute the ninth district.\n\n10. The Counties of Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox, Prince Edward,\nCharlotte, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Halifax shall constitute the tenth\ndistrict.\n\n11. The City of Petersburg and the Counties of Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Amelia and\nPowhatan shall constitute the eleventh district.\n\n12. The City of Colonial Heights and the County of Chesterfield shall constitute\nthe twelfth district.\n\n13. The City of Richmond shall constitute the thirteenth district.\n\n14. The County of Henrico shall constitute the fourteenth district.\n\n15. The City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of King George, Stafford,\nSpotsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland,\nRichmond and Essex shall constitute the fifteenth district.\n\n16. The City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Madison, Greene, Albemarle,\nFluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and Culpeper shall constitute the sixteenth\ndistrict.\n\n17. The County of Arlington and the City of Falls Church shall constitute the\nseventeenth district.\n\n18. The City of Alexandria shall constitute the eighteenth district.\n\n19. The City of Fairfax and the County of Fairfax shall constitute the\nnineteenth district.\n\n20. The Counties of Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock shall constitute the\ntwentieth district.\n\n21. The City of Martinsville and the Counties of Patrick and Henry shall\nconstitute the twenty-first district.\n\n22. The City of Danville and the Counties of Pittsylvania and Franklin shall\nconstitute the twenty-second district.\n\n23. The Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the County of Roanoke shall constitute\nthe twenty-third district.\n\n24. The City of Lynchburg and the Counties of Nelson, Amherst, Campbell and\nBedford shall constitute the twenty-fourth district.\n\n25. The Cities of Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista, and Waynesboro\nand the Counties of Highland, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, Alleghany, Botetourt\nand Craig shall constitute the twenty-fifth district.\n\n26. The Cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick,\nClarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page and Rockingham shall constitute the\ntwenty-sixth district.\n\n27. The Cities of Galax and Radford and the Counties of Pulaski, Wythe, Carroll,\nMontgomery, Floyd, Giles, Bland and Grayson shall constitute the twenty-seventh\ndistrict.\n\n28. The City of Bristol and the Counties of Smyth and Washington shall\nconstitute the twenty-eighth district.\n\n29. The Counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell and Dickenson shall constitute\nthe twenty-ninth district.\n\n30. The City of Norton and the Counties of Wise, Scott and Lee shall constitute\nthe thirtieth district.\n\n31. The Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and the County of Prince William\nshall constitute the thirty-first district.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1974, c. 297; 1976, c. 126; 1977, c. 5;\n1983, c. 149; 1986, c. 405; 1987, c. 624; 1992, c. 744; 2006, c. 861; 2016, cc.\n164, 312.","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}}