Committee on District Courts Records, 1965-2011 (bulk 1973-1974)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia State Law Library, Supreme Court of Virginia
Virginia State Law Library
Supreme Court of Virginia
100 North Ninth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Ashley Vavra, Librarian-Archivist
Phone: (804) 225-2739
Phone: (804) 786-2075

Summary

Creator:
Virginia. Committee on District Courts.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Primarily records, 1973-1974, documenting the organization of a unified court system in Virginia; contains correspondence of Executive Secretary Hubert Bennett, Assistant Executive Secretary Fred Hodnett, and Attorney General Andrew Miller pertaining to the proposed legislative changes. Also includes two folders of correspondence and draft legislation pertaining to creation of an intermediate appellate court, 1982-1984; Committee on District Court minutes, April 15, 1974 and September 30, 2010, meeting agenda and materials April 15, 2011; and Futures Commission recommendations, April 1990.

Records, 1973-1974, contain recommendations, reports, draft legislation, directories of courts, maps of judicial circuits and districts, a personnel manual, a newspaper clipping, 1973, circa, about the reorganization of the courts; and a report on magistrate needs in Virginia localities and recommendations for implementation of a juvenile probation system.

Biographical / historical:

In 1972, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation establishing general district and juvenile and domestic relations district courts. Beginning July 1, 1973, every county and city was required to have one general district court and one juvenile and domestic relations district court, with one or more general district court judges and one or more juvenile and domestic relations district court judges. (Virginia Code 16.1-69.7) Town courts with general civil and criminal jurisdiction were abolished and their jurisdiction was conferred to the county district courts wherein the town was located. (Virginia Code 16.1-69.8)

The Committee on District Courts was created by act of Assembly in 1972 to assist the Chief Justice in the administrative supervision of Virginia's unified court system. Among the statutorily mandated responsibilities of the CDC are recommending new judgeships and certifying the need to fill district court vacancies, authorizing the number of clerks, magistrates and personnel in each district, establishing guidelines and policies for court system personnel and fixing salary classification schedules for district court personnel and magistrates. (Virginia Code 16.1-69.33)

Membership of the Committee includes the Chairmen of the Committees for Courts of Justice in the Senate and House of Delegates, two members of each of the Courts of Justice Committees appointed by the respective Chairmen, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Majority Leader of the Senate of Virginia, one circuit court judge, two general district court judges and two juvenile and domestic relations district court judges. These judicial members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Chief Justice. (Virginia Code 16.1-69.33)

Acquisition information:
These records were transferred to the State Law Library from the Office of the Executive Secretary in 2006.
Physical description:
0.50 cu. ft. (2 boxes)