                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

QUARTERS FOR MAGISTRATES (§ 19.2-48.1)

A. The counties and cities served by a magistrate or magistrates shall provide
suitable quarters for such magistrates, including a site for any
videoconferencing and other equipment necessary to provide secure, remote access
and the transmission of paperwork to such magistrates by the public and
law-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 law-enforcement
officers. Where practicable, such quarters shall be in a courthouse or a
law-enforcement office where business is regularly conducted and shall include
an entrance, exit, and parking for magistrates that is separate from those for
members of the public. Such quarters shall provide for the physical security of
the magistrate and shall include controlled access to interior spaces or
intrusion detection, a secure physical barrier between the magistrate and
members of the public, and a readily accessible duress button that connects the
magistrate to local law enforcement. The county or city shall also provide all
furniture and other equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the
office.

B. Wherever practical, the office of magistrate 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.

HISTORY: 1975, c. 495; 1981, c. 5; 1988, c. 510; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2024, cc.
201, 237.