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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63832</law_id><section_number>19.2-48.1</section_number><catch_line>Quarters for magistrates</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3">Magistrates</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Compensation and Fees</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The counties and cities served by a <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrates</span> shall provide suitable quarters for such <span class="dictionary">magistrates</span>, including a site for any videoconferencing and other equipment necessary to provide secure, remote access and the transmission of paperwork to such <span class="dictionary">magistrates</span> by the public and <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers. Such quarters shall be located in a facility open to the public and appropriate to conduct the affairs of a judicial officer as well as provide convenient, 24-hour access to the public and <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers. Where practicable, such quarters shall be in a courthouse or a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement office where business is regularly conducted and shall include an entrance, exit, and parking for <span class="dictionary">magistrates</span> that is separate from those for members of the public. Such quarters shall provide for the physical security of the <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> and shall include controlled access to interior spaces or intrusion detection, a secure physical barrier between the <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> and members of the public, and a readily accessible duress button that connects the <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> to local <span class="dictionary">law</span> enforcement. The county or city shall also provide all furniture and other equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the office. <a id="paragraph-232544" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-48.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Wherever practical, the office of <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> shall be located at the county seat. However, offices may be located at other locations in the county, or city adjacent thereto, whenever such additional offices are necessary to effect the efficient administration of justice. <a id="paragraph-232545" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-48.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1975, c. 495; 1981, c. 5; 1988, c. 510; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2024, cc. 201, 237.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
