A. There shall be as many judges of the circuit courts as may be fixed by the General Assembly. The judges of each circuit shall select from their number by majority vote a chief judge of the circuit, who shall serve for the term of two years. In the event such judges cannot agree as to who shall be chief judge, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall act as tie breaker.
B. The chief judge of the circuit shall ensure that the system of justice in his circuit operates smoothly and efficiently. He shall have authority to assign the work of the circuit among the judges, and in doing so he may consider the nature and categories of the cases to be assigned.
C. Unless otherwise provided by law, powers of appointment within a circuit shall be exercised by a majority of the judges of the circuit; however, the order of appointment may be signed by the chief judge or that judge's designee on behalf of the other judges. In case of a tie, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint a circuit judge from another circuit who shall act as tie breaker. Where the power of appointment is to be exercised by a majority of the judges of the Second Judicial Circuit and such appointment is to a local post, board or commission in Accomack or Northampton County, the resident judge or judges of the County of Accomack or Northampton shall exercise such appointment power as if he or they comprise the majority of the judges of the circuit.
D. No person shall be appointed or reappointed under this section until he has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and a Virginia criminal history records search, submitted to a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect, and provided a written statement of economic interests on the disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117. No person with a criminal conviction for a felony shall be appointed as a judge.
1973, c. 544, § 17-116.2; 1976, c. 124; 1994, c. 407; 1998, c. 872; 2004, c. 452; 2005, c. 183; 2018, c. 578.
Structure Code of Virginia
§ 17.1-500. Establishment of circuit courts
§ 17.1-503. Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases
§ 17.1-505. Circuit court of county to constitute circuit court of certain cities
§ 17.1-507. Maximum number of judges; residence requirement; compensation; powers; etc.
§ 17.1-508. Judges in new or changed circuits; ratifying, validating and confirming certain actions
§ 17.1-509. Vacancies in office of judge
§ 17.1-510. Election of judge of new circuit; how court held meanwhile
§ 17.1-511. Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled
§ 17.1-512. Election of successor judge before date of vacancy
§ 17.1-513. Jurisdiction of circuit courts
§ 17.1-513.01. Jurisdiction of circuit courts with respect to charitable assets
§ 17.1-513.1. Appeals from administrative proceedings; abuse and neglect; record to be sealed
§ 17.1-514. When plaintiff entitled to less than $100; judgment for defendant
§ 17.1-515. Jurisdiction formerly in county courts
§ 17.1-515.1. Territorial jurisdiction of the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg
§ 17.1-515.4. Designation of certain courtrooms within sixteenth circuit for trial of certain cases
§ 17.1-515.6. Concurrent law-enforcement jurisdiction over Joint Judicial Center in Winchester
§ 17.1-516. Jurisdiction of courts over certain waters
§ 17.1-517. Number of terms; how fixed
§ 17.1-518. Special terms; when, how and by whom appointed
§ 17.1-519. Adjournment thereof to a future day
§ 17.1-520. What tried at a special term
§ 17.1-521. Who to hold special term; powers
§ 17.1-522. Adjournment of special term