{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/37.2-803.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/37.2-803.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/37.2-803.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/37.2-803.html"}],"law_id":84291,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84291,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-803","catch_line":"Special justices to perform duties of judge","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 37-61.2; 1952, c. 700; 1968, c. 477, \u00a7 37.1-88; 1974, c. 111; 1976, c. 671; 1995, c. 844; 2005, c. 716; 2007, cc. 500, 897; 2009, c. 608; 2010, cc. 340, 406; 2019, c. 809.","full_text":"The chief judge of each judicial circuit may appoint one or more special justices, for the purpose of performing the duties required of a judge by this chapter, Chapter 11 (\u00a7 37.2-1100 et seq.), and \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-69.28, 16.1-335 through 16.1-348, 19.2-169.6, 19.2-174.1, 19.2-182.9, 53.1-40.1, 53.1-40.2, 53.1-40.9, and 53.1-133.04. Each special justice shall be a person licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth or a retired or substitute judge in good standing and shall have all the powers and jurisdiction conferred upon a judge. The special justice shall serve under the supervision and at the pleasure of the chief judge of the judicial circuit for a period of up to six years. The special justice may be reappointed and may serve additional periods of up to six years, at the pleasure of the chief judge. Within six months of appointment, each special justice appointed on or after January 1, 1996, shall complete a minimum training program prescribed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court. Special justices shall collect the fees prescribed in this chapter for their service and shall retain those fees, unless the governing body of the county or city in which the services are performed provides for the payment of an annual salary for the services, in which case the fees shall be collected and paid into the treasury of that county or city.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":302170,"text":"The chief judge of each judicial circuit may appoint one or more special justices, for the purpose of performing the duties required of a judge by this chapter, Chapter 11 (\u00a7 37.2-1100 et seq.), and \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-69.28, 16.1-335 through 16.1-348, 19.2-169.6, 19.2-174.1, 19.2-182.9, 53.1-40.1, 53.1-40.2, 53.1-40.9, and 53.1-133.04. Each special justice shall be a person licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth or a retired or substitute judge in good standing and shall have all the powers and jurisdiction conferred upon a judge. The special justice shall serve under the supervision and at the pleasure of the chief judge of the judicial circuit for a period of up to six years. The special justice may be reappointed and may serve additional periods of up to six years, at the pleasure of the chief judge. Within six months of appointment, each special justice appointed on or after January 1, 1996, shall complete a minimum training program prescribed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court. Special justices shall collect the fees prescribed in this chapter for their service and shall retain those fees, unless the governing body of the county or city in which the services are performed provides for the payment of an annual salary for the services, in which case the fees shall be collected and paid into the treasury of that county or city.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15066,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12890,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:56","permalink":{"id":210259,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15066,"identifier":"1","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1","url":"\/37.2\/III\/8\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12890,"edition_id":1,"name":"Emergency Custody and Voluntary and Involuntary Civil Admissions","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12889,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":210257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12890,"identifier":"8","token":"37.2\/III\/8","url":"\/37.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12889,"edition_id":1,"name":"Admissions and Dispositions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12843,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":210255,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12889,"identifier":"III","token":"37.2\/III","url":"\/37.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12843,"edition_id":1,"name":"Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","identifier":"37.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":209673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12843,"identifier":"37.2","token":"37.2","url":"\/37.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76779,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-800","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026). Applicability of chapter","url":"\/37.2-800\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-800","metadata":false},{"id":63295,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-801","catch_line":"Admission procedures; forms","url":"\/37.2-801\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-801","metadata":false},{"id":66636,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-802","catch_line":"Interpreters in admission or certification proceedings","url":"\/37.2-802\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-802","metadata":false},{"id":84291,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-803","catch_line":"Special justices to perform duties of judge","url":"\/37.2-803\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-803","metadata":false},{"id":86844,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-804","catch_line":"Fees and expenses","url":"\/37.2-804\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-804","metadata":false},{"id":77215,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-804.1","catch_line":"Use of electronic communication","url":"\/37.2-804.1\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-804.1","metadata":false},{"id":57446,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-804.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Disclosure of records","url":"\/37.2-804.2\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-804.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66636,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-802","catch_line":"Interpreters in admission or certification proceedings","url":"\/37.2-802\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-802","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86844,"structure_id":15066,"section_number":"37.2-804","catch_line":"Fees and expenses","url":"\/37.2-804\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-804","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/37.2-803\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\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 1952, chapter 700; in 1968, chapter 477; in 1974, chapter 111; in 1976, chapter 671; in 1995, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 716<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 500<\/a> and 897<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 608<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 340<\/a> and 406<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 809<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80739,"section_number":"16.1-336","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-336\/"},{"id":63926,"section_number":"16.1-345.4","catch_line":"Court review of mandatory outpatient treatment plan","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-345.4\/"},{"id":71978,"section_number":"16.1-345.5","catch_line":"Continuation of mandatory outpatient treatment order","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-345.5\/"},{"id":82661,"section_number":"17.1-900","catch_line":"Definitions and application of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-900\/"},{"id":76036,"section_number":"37.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-100\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74549,"section_number":"16.1-335","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-335\/"},{"id":62629,"section_number":"16.1-348","catch_line":"Availability of judge","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-348\/"},{"id":60852,"section_number":"16.1-69.28","catch_line":"Commitment of insane, etc., persons","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.28\/"},{"id":74002,"section_number":"19.2-169.6","catch_line":"Inpatient psychiatric hospital admission from local correctional facility","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.6\/"},{"id":60224,"section_number":"19.2-174.1","catch_line":"Information required prior to admission to a mental health facility","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-174.1\/"},{"id":55068,"section_number":"19.2-182.9","catch_line":"Emergency custody of conditionally released acquittee","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-182.9\/"},{"id":83720,"section_number":"37.2-1100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-1100\/"},{"id":59293,"section_number":"53.1-133.04","catch_line":"Medical and mental health treatment of prisoners incapable of giving consent","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-133.04\/"},{"id":60055,"section_number":"53.1-40.1","catch_line":"Medical and mental health treatment of prisoners incapable of giving consent","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.1\/"},{"id":65505,"section_number":"53.1-40.2","catch_line":"Involuntary admission of prisoners with mental illness","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.2\/"},{"id":86543,"section_number":"53.1-40.9","catch_line":"Civil admission proceeding prior to release","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.9\/"}],"permalink":{"id":210273,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84291,"identifier":"37.2-803","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-803","url":"\/37.2-803\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/37.2-803\/","token":"37.2\/III\/8\/1\/37.2-803","dublin_core":{"Title":"Special justices to perform duties of judge","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 37.2-803","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The chief judge<\/span> of each judicial circuit<\/span> may appoint one or more special justices<\/span>, for the purpose of performing the duties required of a judge by this chapter, Chapter 11 (\u00a7 37.2-1100<\/a> et seq.), and \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-69.28<\/a>, 16.1-335<\/a> through 16.1-348<\/a>, 19.2-169.6<\/a>, 19.2-174.1<\/a>, 19.2-182.9<\/a>, 53.1-40.1<\/a>, 53.1-40.2<\/a>, 53.1-40.9<\/a>, and 53.1-133.04<\/a>. Each special justice<\/span> shall be a person licensed to practice law<\/span> in the Commonwealth or a retired or substitute judge in good standing and shall have all the powers and jurisdiction<\/span> conferred upon a judge. The special justice<\/span> shall serve under the supervision and at the pleasure of the chief judge<\/span> of the judicial circuit<\/span> for a period of up to six years. The special justice<\/span> may be reappointed and may serve additional periods of up to six years, at the pleasure of the chief judge<\/span>. Within six months of appointment, each special justice<\/span> appointed on or after January 1, 1996, shall complete a minimum training program prescribed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court<\/span>. Special justices<\/span> shall collect the fees prescribed in this chapter for their service and shall retain those fees, unless the governing body of the county or city in which the services are performed provides for the payment of an annual salary for the services, in which case the fees shall be collected and paid into the treasury of that county or city.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSPECIAL JUSTICES TO PERFORM DUTIES OF JUDGE (\u00a7 37.2-803)\n\nThe chief judge of each judicial circuit may appoint one or more special\njustices, for the purpose of performing the duties required of a judge by this\nchapter, Chapter 11 (\u00a7 37.2-1100 et seq.), and \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-69.28, 16.1-335\nthrough 16.1-348, 19.2-169.6, 19.2-174.1, 19.2-182.9, 53.1-40.1, 53.1-40.2,\n53.1-40.9, and 53.1-133.04. Each special justice shall be a person licensed to\npractice law in the Commonwealth or a retired or substitute judge in good\nstanding and shall have all the powers and jurisdiction conferred upon a judge.\nThe special justice shall serve under the supervision and at the pleasure of the\nchief judge of the judicial circuit for a period of up to six years. The special\njustice may be reappointed and may serve additional periods of up to six years,\nat the pleasure of the chief judge. Within six months of appointment, each\nspecial justice appointed on or after January 1, 1996, shall complete a minimum\ntraining program prescribed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.\nSpecial justices shall collect the fees prescribed in this chapter for their\nservice and shall retain those fees, unless the governing body of the county or\ncity in which the services are performed provides for the payment of an annual\nsalary for the services, in which case the fees shall be collected and paid into\nthe treasury of that county or city.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 37-61.2; 1952, c. 700; 1968, c. 477, \u00a7 37.1-88; 1974, c.\n111; 1976, c. 671; 1995, c. 844; 2005, c. 716; 2007, cc. 500, 897; 2009, c. 608;\n2010, cc. 340, 406; 2019, c. 809.","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}}