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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81239</law_id><section_number>53.1-120</section_number><catch_line>Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>17.1-275.5</reference><reference>53.1-68</reference><reference>9.1-102</reference><reference>9.1-113</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="53.1">Prisons and Other Methods of Correction</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3">Local Correctional Facilities</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Duties of Sheriffs</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Director</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Criminal Justice Services. <a id="paragraph-291187" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/53.1-120/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The chief <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span>, the chief general district <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span> and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span> shall be responsible by agreement with the sheriff of the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> for the designation of courtroom security deputies for their respective <span class="dictionary">courts</span>. If the respective <span class="dictionary">chief judges</span> and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and working <span class="dictionary">schedules</span> of courtroom security deputies for the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, the matter shall be referred to the Compensation <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for resolution in accordance with existing budgeted funds and personnel. <a id="paragraph-291188" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/53.1-120/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the deputies designated for courtroom security. <a id="paragraph-291189" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/53.1-120/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> in which the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is convicted of a violation of any <span class="dictionary">statute</span> or <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>. If a town provides <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> of the governing body that may provide for different sums in the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">courts</span> and district <span class="dictionary">courts</span>. The assessment shall be collected by the clerk of the <span class="dictionary">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&#x2019;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. <a id="paragraph-291190" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/53.1-120/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 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.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
