{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-120.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-120.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-120.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-120.html"}],"law_id":81239,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81239,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-120","catch_line":"Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-168.1; 1972, c. 135; 1982, c. 636; 1986, c. 568; 1988, c. 119; 1989, c. 571; 2002, cc. 533, 756; 2003, cc. 26, 44; 2004, cc. 390, 432; 2006, c. 495; 2007, c. 377; 2020, c. 602.","full_text":"A\n\nEach sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his jurisdiction are secure from violence and disruption and shall designate deputies for this purpose. A list of such designations shall be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services.B\n\nThe chief circuit court judge, the chief general district court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge shall be responsible by agreement with the sheriff of the jurisdiction for the designation of courtroom security deputies for their respective courts. If the respective chief judges and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and working schedules of courtroom security deputies for the court, the matter shall be referred to the Compensation Board for resolution in accordance with existing budgeted funds and personnel.C\n\nThe sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the deputies designated for courtroom security.D\n\nAny county or city, through its governing body, may assess a sum not in excess of $20 as part of the costs in each criminal or traffic case in its district or circuit court in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of any statute or ordinance. If a town provides court facilities for a county, the governing body of the county shall return to the town a portion of the assessments collected based on the number of criminal and traffic cases originating and heard in the town. The imposition of such assessment shall be by ordinance of the governing body that may provide for different sums in the circuit courts and district courts. The assessment shall be collected by the clerk of the court in which the case is heard, remitted to the treasurer of the appropriate county or city and held by such treasurer to be appropriated by the governing body to the sheriff’s office. The assessment shall be used solely for the funding of courthouse security personnel, and, if requested by the sheriff, equipment and other personal property used in connection with courthouse security.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":291187,"text":"Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his jurisdiction are secure from violence and disruption and shall designate deputies for this purpose. A list of such designations shall be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":291188,"text":"The chief circuit court judge, the chief general district court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge shall be responsible by agreement with the sheriff of the jurisdiction for the designation of courtroom security deputies for their respective courts. If the respective chief judges and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and working schedules of courtroom security deputies for the court, the matter shall be referred to the Compensation Board for resolution in accordance with existing budgeted funds and personnel.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":291189,"text":"The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the deputies designated for courtroom security.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":291190,"text":"Any county or city, through its governing body, may assess a sum not in excess of $20 as part of the costs in each criminal or traffic case in its district or circuit court in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of any statute or ordinance. If a town provides court facilities for a county, the governing body of the county shall return to the town a portion of the assessments collected based on the number of criminal and traffic cases originating and heard in the town. The imposition of such assessment shall be by ordinance of the governing body that may provide for different sums in the circuit courts and district courts. The assessment shall be collected by the clerk of the court in which the case is heard, remitted to the treasurer of the appropriate county or city and held by such treasurer to be appropriated by the governing body to the sheriff’s office. The assessment shall be used solely for the funding of courthouse security personnel, and, if requested by the sheriff, equipment and other personal property used in connection with courthouse security.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13010,"edition_id":1,"name":"Duties of Sheriffs","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":238673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13010,"identifier":"6","token":"53.1\/3\/6","url":"\/53.1\/3\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12847,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Correctional Facilities","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":238281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12847,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/3","url":"\/53.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","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":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66213,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116","catch_line":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","url":"\/53.1-116\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116","metadata":false},{"id":84918,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of release of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1","metadata":false},{"id":54082,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:01","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of intake of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1_01\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":76275,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:02","catch_line":"Jailer-issued identification","url":"\/53.1-116.1_02\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_02","metadata":false},{"id":59367,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2","catch_line":"Sheriffs to be keepers of jails","url":"\/53.1-116.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2","metadata":false},{"id":56943,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2:1","catch_line":"Jail superintendents to report certain acts of violence occurring within regional correctional facilities to law-enforcement agency; policies","url":"\/53.1-116.2_1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":76469,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.3","catch_line":"Improper release; capias, arrest and hearing","url":"\/53.1-116.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.3","metadata":false},{"id":77700,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-117","catch_line":"Violations of rules to be recorded in register","url":"\/53.1-117\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-117","metadata":false},{"id":83044,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-118","catch_line":"Courts to fine sheriffs for failure to perform duties","url":"\/53.1-118\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-118","metadata":false},{"id":70075,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-119","catch_line":"Court duties of sheriff","url":"\/53.1-119\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-119","metadata":false},{"id":81239,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-120","catch_line":"Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment","url":"\/53.1-120\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-120","metadata":false},{"id":54498,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-121","catch_line":"Sheriffs to make daily reports to Compensation Board; failure to send report","url":"\/53.1-121\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-121","metadata":false},{"id":64964,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-122","catch_line":"Daily records of sheriffs and jail superintendents","url":"\/53.1-122\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-122","metadata":false},{"id":62217,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-123","catch_line":"Other accounts, information and records as required by Department","url":"\/53.1-123\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-123","metadata":false},{"id":79685,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-124","catch_line":"Sheriffs and jail superintendents to report to the courts","url":"\/53.1-124\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-124","metadata":false},{"id":86449,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-125","catch_line":"Failure of sheriffs or jail superintendents to comply with requirements of board; filing of complaint; withholding salary","url":"\/53.1-125\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-125","metadata":false},{"id":63523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-126","catch_line":"Responsibility of sheriffs and jail superintendents for food, clothing and medicine","url":"\/53.1-126\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-126","metadata":false},{"id":85147,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering","url":"\/53.1-127\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127","metadata":false},{"id":74775,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.1","catch_line":"Establishment of stores in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.1","metadata":false},{"id":68530,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.2","catch_line":"Fees for telephonic communication systems and electronic visitation and messaging systems for prisoners in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.2","metadata":false},{"id":68077,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.3","catch_line":"Deferred or installment payment agreement for unpaid fees","url":"\/53.1-127.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.3","metadata":false},{"id":54523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-127.4\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.4","metadata":false},{"id":77242,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.5","catch_line":"Collection of fees owed; contract for collection; duties of Department of Taxation","url":"\/53.1-127.5\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70075,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-119","catch_line":"Court duties of sheriff","url":"\/53.1-119\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-119","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54498,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-121","catch_line":"Sheriffs to make daily reports to Compensation Board; failure to send report","url":"\/53.1-121\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-121","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-120\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 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 1972, chapter 135; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1986, chapter 568; in 1988, chapter 119; in 1989, chapter 571; in 2002, chapters 533<\/a> and 756<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 26<\/a> and 44<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 390<\/a> and 432<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 495<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 377<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 602<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59038,"section_number":"17.1-275.5","catch_line":"Amounts to be added; judgment in favor of the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-275.5\/"},{"id":75446,"section_number":"53.1-68","catch_line":"Minimum standards for local correctional facilities and lock-ups; health inspections, behavioral health services inspections, and personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-68\/"},{"id":54198,"section_number":"9.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board and the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-102\/"},{"id":65278,"section_number":"9.1-113","catch_line":"Compliance with minimum training standards by certain officers; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-113\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":238715,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81239,"identifier":"53.1-120","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-120","url":"\/53.1-120\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-120\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-120","dublin_core":{"Title":"Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-120","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his jurisdiction<\/span> are secure from violence and disruption and shall designate deputies for this purpose. A list of such designations shall be forwarded to the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Criminal Justice Services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The chief circuit<\/span> court<\/span> judge<\/span>, the chief general district court<\/span> judge<\/span> and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judge<\/span> shall be responsible by agreement with the sheriff of the jurisdiction<\/span> for the designation of courtroom security deputies for their respective courts<\/span>. If the respective chief judges<\/span> and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and working schedules<\/span> of courtroom security deputies for the court<\/span>, the matter shall be referred to the Compensation Board<\/span> for resolution in accordance with existing budgeted funds and personnel. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the deputies designated for courtroom security. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any county or city, through its governing body, may assess a sum not in excess of $20 as part of the costs in each criminal or traffic case in its district or circuit<\/span> court<\/span> in which the defendant<\/span> is convicted of a violation of any statute<\/span> or ordinance<\/span>. If a town provides court<\/span> facilities for a county, the governing body of the county shall return to the town a portion of the assessments collected based on the number of criminal and traffic cases originating and heard in the town. The imposition of such assessment shall be by ordinance<\/span> of the governing body that may provide for different sums in the circuit<\/span> courts<\/span> and district courts<\/span>. The assessment shall be collected by the clerk of the court<\/span> in which the case is heard, remitted to the treasurer of the appropriate county or city and held by such treasurer to be appropriated by the governing body to the sheriff’s office. The assessment shall be used solely for the funding of courthouse security personnel, and, if requested by the sheriff, equipment and other personal property used in connection with courthouse security. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSHERIFF TO PROVIDE FOR COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOM SECURITY; DESIGNATION OF\nDEPUTIES FOR SUCH PURPOSE; ASSESSMENT (\u00a7 53.1-120)\n\nA. Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his\njurisdiction are secure from violence and disruption and shall designate\ndeputies for this purpose. A list of such designations shall be forwarded to the\nDirector of the Department of Criminal Justice Services.\n\nB. The chief circuit court judge, the chief general district court judge and the\nchief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge shall be responsible\nby agreement with the sheriff of the jurisdiction for the designation of\ncourtroom security deputies for their respective courts. If the respective chief\njudges and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and working schedules\nof courtroom security deputies for the court, the matter shall be referred to\nthe Compensation Board for resolution in accordance with existing budgeted funds\nand personnel.\n\nC. The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the\ndeputies designated for courtroom security.\n\nD. Any county or city, through its governing body, may assess a sum not in\nexcess of $20 as part of the costs in each criminal or traffic case in its\ndistrict or circuit court in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of\nany statute or ordinance. If a town provides court facilities for a county, the\ngoverning body of the county shall return to the town a portion of the\nassessments collected based on the number of criminal and traffic cases\noriginating and heard in the town. The imposition of such assessment shall be by\nordinance of the governing body that may provide for different sums in the\ncircuit courts and district courts. The assessment shall be collected by the\nclerk of the court in which the case is heard, remitted to the treasurer of the\nappropriate county or city and held by such treasurer to be appropriated by the\ngoverning body to the sheriff’s office. The assessment shall be used\nsolely for the funding of courthouse security personnel, and, if requested by\nthe sheriff, equipment and other personal property used in connection with\ncourthouse security.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-168.1; 1972, c. 135; 1982, c. 636; 1986, c. 568; 1988,\nc. 119; 1989, c. 571; 2002, cc. 533, 756; 2003, cc. 26, 44; 2004, cc. 390, 432;\n2006, c. 495; 2007, c. 377; 2020, c. 602.","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}}