{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.8.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.8.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.8.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.8.html"}],"law_id":80456,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80456,"structure_id":14202,"section_number":"16.1-69.8","catch_line":"Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2018, c. 164.","full_text":"The present system of courts not of record is continued as follows on and after July 1, 1973:\n\na\n\nThe county court in each county shall continue as the general district court of such county with the same powers and with territorial jurisdiction over such county and over any city within the county for which a municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction or separate general district court has not been established.b\n\nThe municipal court or courts in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic relations courts, shall continue as the general district court of the city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction over such city; provided that in the case of more than one such municipal court in operation in any city, all such courts shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial jurisdiction merged in the general district court.c\n\nThe juvenile and domestic relations court of each county and city shall continue as the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction as heretofore provided.d\n\nThe municipal court of any town and\/or other court of any town having general civil and criminal jurisdiction however called shall be abolished and all jurisdiction and power conferred upon any such court shall pass to and be exercised by the district courts having jurisdiction over the county wherein the town is located.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":288205,"text":"The present system of courts not of record is continued as follows on and after July 1, 1973:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"a"},"1":{"id":288206,"text":"The county court in each county shall continue as the general district court of such county with the same powers and with territorial jurisdiction over such county and over any city within the county for which a municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction or separate general district court has not been established.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"b"},"2":{"id":288207,"text":"The municipal court or courts in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic relations courts, shall continue as the general district court of the city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction over such city; provided that in the case of more than one such municipal court in operation in any city, all such courts shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial jurisdiction merged in the general district court.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"3":{"id":288208,"text":"The juvenile and domestic relations court of each county and city shall continue as the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction as heretofore provided.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"4":{"id":288209,"text":"The municipal court of any town and\/or other court of any town having general civil and criminal jurisdiction however called shall be abolished and all jurisdiction and power conferred upon any such court shall pass to and be exercised by the district courts having jurisdiction over the county wherein the town is located.","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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.8\/","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 2 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 2018, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0164\">164<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":162135,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80456,"identifier":"16.1-69.8","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.8","url":"\/16.1-69.8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.8\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.8","dublin_core":{"Title":"Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.8","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The present system of <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> not of record is continued as follows on and after July 1, 1973:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"a\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">a.<\/span> The county <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> in each county shall continue as the general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of such county with the same powers and with territorial <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> over such county and over any city within the county for which a municipal <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> with general civil or criminal <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> or separate general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> has not been established. <a id=\"paragraph-288206\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.8\/#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> The municipal <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic relations <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span>, shall continue as the general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of the city with the same powers and territorial <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> over such city; provided that in the case of more than one such municipal <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> in operation in any city, all such <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> merged in the general district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-288207\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.8\/#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> The juvenile and domestic relations <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of each county and city shall continue as the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of the county or city with the same powers and territorial <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> as heretofore provided. <a id=\"paragraph-288208\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.8\/#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> The municipal <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of any town and\/or other <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of any town having general civil and criminal <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> however called shall be abolished and all <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> and power conferred upon any such <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall pass to and be exercised by the district <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> having <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> over the county wherein the town is located. <a id=\"paragraph-288209\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-69.8\/#d\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXISTING COURTS CONTINUED AND REDESIGNATED; EXCEPTION (\u00a7 16.1-69.8)\n\nThe present system of courts not of record is continued as follows on and after\nJuly 1, 1973:\n\na. The county court in each county shall continue as the general district court\nof such county with the same powers and with territorial jurisdiction over such\ncounty and over any city within the county for which a municipal court with\ngeneral civil or criminal jurisdiction or separate general district court has\nnot been established.\n\nb. The municipal court or courts in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic\nrelations courts, shall continue as the general district court of the city with\nthe same powers and territorial jurisdiction over such city; provided that in\nthe case of more than one such municipal court in operation in any city, all\nsuch courts shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial\njurisdiction merged in the general district court.\n\nc. The juvenile and domestic relations court of each county and city shall\ncontinue as the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or\ncity with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction as heretofore provided.\n\nd. The municipal court of any town and\/or other court of any town having general\ncivil and criminal jurisdiction however called shall be abolished and all\njurisdiction and power conferred upon any such court shall pass to and be\nexercised by the district courts having jurisdiction over the county wherein the\ntown is located.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2018, c. 164.","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}}