Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Because the library is not open to the general public, researchers should contact the library to arrange access to the collection.

Preferred Citation

Committee on District Courts Records, 1965-2011 (bulk 1973-1974), Accession #00030235, Supreme Court of Virginia Archives, Virginia State Law Library, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

These records were transferred to the State Law Library from the Office of the Executive Secretary in 2006.

Historical Information

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)

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.

Index Terms

Personal Names:

• Bennett, Hubert D.
• Hodnett, Frederick A.
• Miller, Andrew P., 1932-.

Corporate Names:

• Virginia. Committee on District Courts.
• Virginia. Office of the Attorney General.
• Virginia. Supreme Court. Office of the Executive Secretary.

Subjects:

• District courts -- Virginia -- History.

Genre/form

• Clippings (information artifacts) -- Virginia -- Richmond.
• Correspondence -- Virginia.
• Maps.
• Reports -- Virginia.