Va. Code » Title 19.2. Criminal Procedure » Chapter 3. Magistrates » Article 6. Compensation and Fees
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-48.1 (2026)

Quarters for magistrates

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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.

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

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1995–1995 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Wright, 36 Va. Cir. 494 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 1995).
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Commonwealth v. Wright, 36 Va. Cir. 494 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 1995). · cites it 3× “3, or any similar local ordinance, the person’s license shall be suspended immediately for seven days .... The magistrate is a judicial officer for this purpose and his decision is pursuant to a judicial proceeding.”
Commonwealth v. Dederer, 38 Va. Cir. 52 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1995). · cites it 3× “Article VI, Section 8, of the Virginia Constitution provides in part: The General Assembly may provide for judicial personnel, such as judges of courts not of record and magistrates or justices of the peace and may prescribe their jurisdiction and provide the manner in which…”
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