                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SHERIFF TO PROVIDE FOR COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOM SECURITY; DESIGNATION OF
DEPUTIES FOR SUCH PURPOSE; ASSESSMENT (§ 53.1-120)

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the identity of the
deputies designated for courtroom security.

D. 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&#8217;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.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 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.