{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.6_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.6_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.6_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.6_1.html"}],"law_id":83634,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83634,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.6:1","catch_line":"Number of judges","history":"1974, c. 1; 1975, c. 41; 1976, c. 56; 1977, c. 5; 1978, c. 2; 1979, c. 7; 1980, c. 93; 1981, c. 26; 1982, c. 4; 1983, c. 1; 1985, c. 44; 1986, c. 75; 1987, c. 16; 1988, c. 22; 1989, c. 44; 1990, c. 112; 1992, c. 91; 1993, cc. 8, 31; 1994, c. 89; 1994, 1st Sp. Sess., cc. 3, 7; 1995, c. 20; 1996, c. 121; 1997, c. 16; 1998, c. 2; 1999, c. 11; 2000, c. 43; 2001, c. 16; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 4; 2005, cc. 189, 228, 951; 2006, cc. 34, 488; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2014, cc. 812, 822; 2016, c. 728; 2018, cc. 126, 135; 2020, cc. 343, 586; 2023, cc. 72, 73; 2024, cc. 525, 606; 2025, cc. 575, 582.","full_text":"For the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, the maximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside within their respective districts, except as provided in \u00a7 16.1-69.16, and whose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed for general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges.\n\t\tThe maximum number of judges of the districts shall be as follows:\n\t\tThe election or appointment of any district judge shall be subject to the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-69.9:3.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":299765,"text":"For the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, the maximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside within their respective districts, except as provided in \u00a7 16.1-69.16, and whose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed for general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges.\n\t\tThe maximum number of judges of the districts shall be as follows:\n\t\tThe election or appointment of any district judge shall be subject to the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-69.9:3.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.6:1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 1 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 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 34 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 1975, chapter 41; in 1976, chapter 56; in 1977, chapter 5; in 1978, chapter 2; in 1979, chapter 7; in 1980, chapter 93; in 1981, chapter 26; in 1982, chapter 4; in 1983, chapter 1; in 1985, chapter 44; in 1986, chapter 75; in 1987, chapter 16; in 1988, chapter 22; in 1989, chapter 44; in 1990, chapter 112; in 1992, chapter 91; in 1993, chapters 8 and 31; in 1994, chapter 89<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 20<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 121<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 16<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 2<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 11<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 43<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 16<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 189<\/a>, 228<\/a>, and 951<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 34<\/a> and 488<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 812<\/a> and 822<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 728<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 126<\/a> and 135<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 343<\/a> and 586<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 72<\/a> and 73<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 525<\/a> and 606<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 575<\/a> and 582<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":78824,"section_number":"16.1-69.16","catch_line":"Residence requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.16\/"},{"id":72210,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:3","catch_line":"Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.9_3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162123,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83634,"identifier":"16.1-69.6:1","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6_1","url":"\/16.1-69.6_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.6_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Number of judges","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.6:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

For the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district court<\/span> judges<\/span> and juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judges<\/span>, the maximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside within their respective districts, except as provided in \u00a7 16.1-69.16<\/a>, and whose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed for general district court<\/span> judges<\/span> and juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judges<\/span>.\n\t\tThe maximum number of judges<\/span> of the districts shall be as follows:\n\t\tThe election or appointment of any district judge<\/span> shall be subject to the provisions of \u00a7 16.1-69.9:3<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNUMBER OF JUDGES (\u00a7 16.1-69.6:1)\n\nFor the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district\ncourt judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, the\nmaximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside\nwithin their respective districts, except as provided in \u00a7 16.1-69.16, and\nwhose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed\nfor general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district\ncourt judges.\n\t\tThe maximum number of judges of the districts shall be as follows:\n\t\tThe election or appointment of any district judge shall be subject to the\nprovisions of \u00a7 16.1-69.9:3.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 1; 1975, c. 41; 1976, c. 56; 1977, c. 5; 1978, c. 2; 1979, c.\n7; 1980, c. 93; 1981, c. 26; 1982, c. 4; 1983, c. 1; 1985, c. 44; 1986, c. 75;\n1987, c. 16; 1988, c. 22; 1989, c. 44; 1990, c. 112; 1992, c. 91; 1993, cc. 8,\n31; 1994, c. 89; 1994, 1st Sp. Sess., cc. 3, 7; 1995, c. 20; 1996, c. 121; 1997,\nc. 16; 1998, c. 2; 1999, c. 11; 2000, c. 43; 2001, c. 16; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c.\n4; 2005, cc. 189, 228, 951; 2006, cc. 34, 488; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2014,\ncc. 812, 822; 2016, c. 728; 2018, cc. 126, 135; 2020, cc. 343, 586; 2023, cc.\n72, 73; 2024, cc. 525, 606; 2025, cc. 575, 582.","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}}