Bill Text: VA SB1256 | 2023 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Magistrates; appointment and supervision.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-01 - Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary with letter (10-Y 3-N) [SB1256 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-SB1256-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§19.2-34 through 19.2-38, 19.2-43, 19.2-44, 19.2-45, 19.2-46, 19.2-46.1, 19.2-48.1, and 37.2-809 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-35.1 as follows:
§19.2-34. Number of magistrates.
There shall be appointed for
each judicial district as many magistrates as are necessary
for the effective administration of justice. The
positions of all employees of the magistrate system Magistrates and any other personnel in the office
of the magistrates shall be authorized by the Committee on
District Courts established pursuant to §16.1-69.33.
§19.2-35. Appointment; supervision generally.
Magistrates and any other personnel in the office of the
magistrate shall be appointed by the Executive Secretary
of the Supreme Court of Virginia in consultation with the
chief judges
judge of the circuit courts court having jurisdiction
within the region
district, in consultation with both the chief general district
court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic
relations district court judge of that district. Each
magistrate shall be appointed to serve one or more of the magisterial
regions created by the Executive Secretary. Each magisterial region shall be
comprised of one or more judicial districts. The Executive Secretary the entire judicial district for which the
appointment is made. The chief circuit court judge shall
have full supervisory authority over the magistrates so appointed but may delegate this authority to the chief
general district court judge. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the only methods for the selection of magistrates shall be as
set out in this section.
The chief circuit court judge, in consultation with both the chief general district court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of that district, may also appoint as many substitute magistrates as may be authorized by the Committee on District Courts. The order of appointment of such substitute magistrate shall specify the period such substitute magistrate shall serve, and during this period such substitute magistrate shall exercise all the powers enumerated in §19.2-45 in the judicial district for which the appointment is made.
If a magistrate of any district is absent or unable through sickness or other disability to perform his duties, the chief magistrate of that district may call upon any off-duty magistrate of an adjoining district to serve in a replacement capacity. When so designated, the replacement magistrate shall have all the authority and power of a magistrate of that district.
No person shall be appointed 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. No person with a criminal conviction for a felony shall be appointed as a magistrate.
§19.2-35.1. When chief general district court judge to exercise general supervisory power; rules and regulations.
When delegated the authority by the chief circuit court judge, the chief general district court judge shall exercise general supervisory power over the administration of magistrates within the district. When such authority is delegated, it shall be the duty of the chief general district court judge to supervise the magistrates within the district and to promulgate such reasonable rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to supplement or clarify the provisions of this title with respect to magistrates, to include fixing the time and place of the sitting of such magistrates.
§19.2-36. Chief magistrates.
A. The Executive Secretary
of the Supreme Court of Virginia
chief circuit court judge, in consultation with both the chief general district
court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge
of that district, may appoint a
chief magistrates, magistrate for the purpose of maintaining the proper schedules,
assisting in the training of the magistrates,
and being responsible to the Executive Secretary chief circuit court judge for
the conduct of the magistrates and to further assist the
Office of the Executive Secretary
chief circuit court judge in the operation of one or more of the magisterial regions magistrate system. The chief
magistrate shall exercise direct daily supervision over the magistrates he
supervises and shall have the power to suspend without pay a magistrate after
consultation and with the concurrence of the
Executive Secretary chief circuit court
judge.
B. To be eligible for appointment as chief magistrate, a
person shall meet all of the qualifications of a magistrate under §19.2-37 and must be a member in good
standing of the Virginia State Bar. His appointment as chief magistrate shall
terminate effective on the date on which his membership in good standing
ceases. The requirements of this subsection relating to membership in the
Virginia State Bar shall not apply to any person appointed as a chief
magistrate before July 1, 2008, who continues in that capacity without a break
in service.
§19.2-37. Magistrates; eligibility for appointment; restrictions on activities.
A. Any person who is a United States citizen and resident of the Commonwealth may be appointed to the office of magistrate under this title subject to the limitations of Chapter 28 (§2.2-2800 et seq.) of Title 2.2 and of this section.
B. Every person appointed as a magistrate on and after July 1, 2008, shall be required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. A person initially appointed as a magistrate prior to July 1, 2008, who continues in office without a break in service is not required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
C. A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a
magistrate under the provisions of this title:
(a) (i)
if such person is a law-enforcement officer; (b) (ii) if such person or his
spouse is a clerk, deputy or assistant clerk, or employee of any such clerk of
a district or circuit court, provided that the Committee on District Courts may
authorize a magistrate to assist in the district court clerk's office on a
part-time basis; (c) (iii) if the parent, child,
spouse, or sibling of such person is a district or circuit court judge in the magisterial region judicial district where he
will serve; or (d) (iv) if such person is the
chief executive officer, or a
member of the board of supervisors, town or city council, or other governing
body for any political subdivision of the Commonwealth.
D. No magistrate shall issue any warrant or process in complaint of his spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, parent-in-law, child-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, first cousin, guardian, or ward.
E. A magistrate may not engage in any other activity for
financial gain during the hours that he is serving on duty as a magistrate. A
magistrate may not be employed outside his duty hours without the prior written
approval of the Executive Secretary chief circuit court judge.
F. No person appointed as a magistrate on or after July 1, 2008, may engage in the practice of law.
G. A magistrate who is designated as a marriage celebrant under §20-25 may not accept a fee, a gratuity, or any other thing of value for exercise of authority as a marriage celebrant.
§19.2-38. Probationary period; compensation and benefits; vacancies; revocation of appointment.
Persons appointed as magistrates under the provisions of this
chapter shall serve at the pleasure of
the Executive Secretary for
a term of four years. Such term shall commence upon appointment and
qualification. Upon appointment by
the Executive Secretary, every magistrate shall serve
initially for a nine-month probationary period during which the magistrate must
complete the minimum training program as established by the Committee on
District Courts and satisfactorily complete a certification examination. Any
magistrate who fails to successfully pass the certification examination shall
not serve beyond the nine-month probationary period. The probationary period
described in this section shall not apply to any magistrate serving on July 1,
2008, who has successfully completed the minimum training program and passed
the certification examination, provided there is no break in service after July
1, 2008. Magistrates shall be entitled to compensation and other benefits only
from the time they take office. Appointments made
under the provisions of this chapter shall be revocable at the pleasure of the
chief circuit court judge.
§19.2-43. Duty of Executive Secretary of Supreme Court.
It shall be the duty of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme
Court to exercise general supervisory power over the
administration of magistrates and adopt such policies as are deemed necessary
to supplement or clarify the provisions of this chapter with respect to such
magistrates, to include fixing the time and place such magistrates shall serve.
The Executive Secretary shall
assist the chief general district court judges and general district courts in
the supervision and mandatory training of magistrates, for which purpose he
shall be authorized to conduct training sessions and meetings
for magistrates and provide information and materials for their use. He may
appoint one or more magistrates to assist him and, in addition, with the approval of the Chief Justice,
require annual reports to be filed by the magistrates on their work as such,
fees associated therewith and other information pertinent to their office, on
forms to be furnished by him. The Executive Secretary may appoint and employ
such personnel as are needed to manage the magistrate
system and carry out the duties and responsibilities
conferred upon the Executive Secretary by this chapter.
§19.2-44. Territorial jurisdiction.
A magistrate shall be authorized to exercise the powers
conferred on magistrates by this title only in the
magisterial region or regions judicial
district for which he is appointed, except that a
magistrate may issue search warrants in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 5 (§19.2-52 et seq.) throughout the Commonwealth. A magistrate may
exercise all powers conferred on magistrates by this title throughout the
Commonwealth when so authorized by the Executive Secretary upon a determination
that such assistance is necessary.
§19.2-45. Powers enumerated.
A magistrate shall have the following powers only:
(1) 1. To issue process of arrest
in accord with the provisions of §§19.2-71 to through 19.2-82 of the Code;
(2) 2. To issue search warrants in
accord with the provisions of §§19.2-52 to through 19.2-60 of the Code;
(3) 3. To admit to bail or commit
to jail all persons charged with offenses subject to the limitations of and in
accord with general laws on bail;
(4) 4. The same power to issue
warrants and subpoenas within such city or
county as is conferred upon district courts and as limited
by the provisions of §§19.2-71 through 19.2-82. A copy of all felony warrants
issued at the request of a citizen shall be promptly delivered to the attorney
for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which the warrant is returnable.
Upon the request of the attorney for the Commonwealth, a copy of any
misdemeanor warrant issued at the request of a citizen shall be delivered to
the attorney for the Commonwealth for such county or city. All attachments,
warrants and subpoenas shall be returnable before a district court;
(5) 5. To issue civil warrants directed
to the sheriff or constable of the county or city wherein the defendant
resides, together with a copy thereof, requiring him to summon the person
against whom the claim is, to appear before a district court on a certain day,
not exceeding 30 days from the date thereof to answer such claim. If there be
two or more defendants and any defendant resides outside the jurisdiction in
which the warrant is issued, the summons for such defendant residing outside
the jurisdiction may be directed to the sheriff of the county or city of his
residence, and such warrant may be served and returned as provided in §
16.1-80;
(6) 6. To administer oaths and take
acknowledgments;
(7) 7. To act as conservators of
the peace; and
(8), (9) [Repealed.]
(10) 8. To perform such other acts
or functions specifically authorized by law.
§19.2-46. Compensation.
The salaries of all magistrates shall be fixed and paid as
provided in §19.2-46.1. The salaries referred to herein
shall be in lieu of all fees which that may accrue to the
recipient by virtue of his office.
Each substitute magistrate shall receive for his services a per diem compensation as may be established by the Committee on District Courts.
§19.2-46.1. Salaries to be fixed by the Committee on District Courts; limitations; mileage allowance.
Salaries of magistrates and any other personnel in the office
of the magistrate shall be fixed by the Executive Secretary
of the Supreme Court Committee on District
Courts. Such salaries shall be fixed by the Executive Secretary Committee at least annually at
such time as he it deems proper and as soon as
practicable thereafter certified to the Comptroller and
the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.
In addition to the salary authorized by this section, a magistrate may be reimbursed by the county or city for reasonable mileage expenses actually incurred in the performance of his duties.
In determining the salary of any magistrate, the Executive Secretary Committee shall consider the work load
workload of and territory and population served by the
magistrate and such other factors he it deems relevant. The Committee may require of any magistrate or
district court judge information on the operation of the office of the
magistrate.
The governing body of any county or city may add to the fixed compensation of magistrates such amount as the governing body may appropriate with the total amount not to exceed 50 percent of the amount paid by the Commonwealth to magistrates, provided such additional compensation was in effect on June 30, 2008, for such magistrates and any magistrate receiving such additional compensation continues in office without a break in service. However, the total amount of additional compensation may not be increased after June 30, 2008. No additional amount paid by a local governing body shall be chargeable to the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, nor shall it remove or supersede any authority, control, or supervision of the Executive Secretary or Committee on District Courts.
§19.2-48.1. Quarters for magistrates.
A. The counties and
cities served by a magistrate or magistrates Each county and city having a general district
court or juvenile and domestic relations district court and having one or more
magistrates appointed pursuant to Article 3 (§19.2-33 et seq.)
shall provide suitable quarters for such magistrates, including a site for any
videoconferencing equipment necessary to provide remote access to such
magistrates. Insofar as possible, such quarters should be located in a public
facility and should be appropriate to conduct the affairs of a judicial officer
as well as provide convenient access to the public and law-enforcement
officers. 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.
§37.2-809. Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order.
A. For the purposes of this section:
"Designee of the local community services board" means an examiner designated by the local community services board who (i) is skilled in the assessment and treatment of mental illness, (ii) has completed a certification program approved by the Department, (iii) is able to provide an independent examination of the person, (iv) is not related by blood or marriage to the person being evaluated, (v) has no financial interest in the admission or treatment of the person being evaluated, (vi) has no investment interest in the facility detaining or admitting the person under this article, and (vii) except for employees of state hospitals and of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is not employed by the facility.
"Employee" means an employee of the local community services board who is skilled in the assessment and treatment of mental illness and has completed a certification program approved by the Department.
"Investment interest" means the ownership or holding of an equity or debt security, including shares of stock in a corporation, interests or units of a partnership, bonds, debentures, notes, or other equity or debt instruments.
B. A magistrate shall issue, upon the sworn petition of any responsible person, treating physician, or upon his own motion and only after an evaluation conducted in-person or by means of a two-way electronic video and audio communication system as authorized in §37.2-804.1 by an employee or a designee of the local community services board to determine whether the person meets the criteria for temporary detention, a temporary detention order if it appears from all evidence readily available, including any recommendation from a physician, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor treating the person, that the person (i) has a mental illness and that there exists a substantial likelihood that, as a result of mental illness, the person will, in the near future, (a) cause serious physical harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening harm and other relevant information, if any, or (b) suffer serious harm due to his lack of capacity to protect himself from harm or to provide for his basic human needs; (ii) is in need of hospitalization or treatment; and (iii) is unwilling to volunteer or incapable of volunteering for hospitalization or treatment. The magistrate shall also consider, if available, (a) information provided by the person who initiated emergency custody and (b) the recommendations of any treating or examining physician licensed in Virginia either verbally or in writing prior to rendering a decision. Any temporary detention order entered pursuant to this section shall provide for the disclosure of medical records pursuant to §37.2-804.2. This subsection shall not preclude any other disclosures as required or permitted by law.
C. When considering whether there is probable cause to issue a temporary detention order, the magistrate may, in addition to the petition, consider (i) the recommendations of any treating or examining physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor licensed in Virginia, if available, (ii) any past actions of the person, (iii) any past mental health treatment of the person, (iv) any relevant hearsay evidence, (v) any medical records available, (vi) any affidavits submitted, if the witness is unavailable and it so states in the affidavit, and (vii) any other information available that the magistrate considers relevant to the determination of whether probable cause exists to issue a temporary detention order.
D. A magistrate may issue a temporary detention order without an emergency custody order proceeding. A magistrate may issue a temporary detention order without a prior evaluation pursuant to subsection B if (i) the person has been personally examined within the previous 72 hours by an employee or a designee of the local community services board or (ii) there is a significant physical, psychological, or medical risk to the person or to others associated with conducting such evaluation.
E. An employee or a designee of the local community services board shall determine the facility of temporary detention in accordance with the provisions of §37.2-809.1 for all persons detained pursuant to this section. An employee or designee of the local community services board may change the facility of temporary detention and may designate an alternative facility for temporary detention at any point during the period of temporary detention if it is determined that the alternative facility is a more appropriate facility for temporary detention of the person given the specific security, medical, or behavioral health needs of the person. In cases in which the facility of temporary detention is changed following transfer of custody to an initial facility of temporary custody, transportation of the person to the alternative facility of temporary detention shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of §37.2-810. The initial facility of temporary detention shall be identified on the preadmission screening report and indicated on the temporary detention order; however, if an employee or designee of the local community services board designates an alternative facility, that employee or designee shall provide written notice forthwith, on a form developed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, to the clerk of the issuing court of the name and address of the alternative facility. Subject to the provisions of §37.2-809.1, if a facility of temporary detention cannot be identified by the time of the expiration of the period of emergency custody pursuant to §37.2-808, the person shall be detained in a state facility for the treatment of persons with mental illness and such facility shall be indicated on the temporary detention order. Except as provided in §37.2-811 for inmates requiring hospitalization in accordance with subdivision A 2 of § 19.2-169.6, the person shall not be detained in a jail or other place of confinement for persons charged with criminal offenses. Except as provided in § 37.2-811 for inmates requiring hospitalization in accordance with subdivision A 2 of §19.2-169.6, the person shall remain in the custody of law enforcement until (i) the person is either detained within a secure facility or (ii) custody has been accepted by the appropriate personnel designated by either the initial facility of temporary detention identified in the temporary detention order or by the alternative facility of temporary detention designated by the employee or designee of the local community services board pursuant to this subsection. The person detained or in custody pursuant to this section shall be given a written summary of the temporary detention procedures and the statutory protections associated with those procedures.
F. Any facility caring for a person placed with it pursuant to a temporary detention order is authorized to provide emergency medical and psychiatric services within its capabilities when the facility determines that the services are in the best interests of the person within its care. The costs incurred as a result of the hearings and by the facility in providing services during the period of temporary detention shall be paid and recovered pursuant to §37.2-804. The maximum costs reimbursable by the Commonwealth pursuant to this section shall be established by the State Board of Medical Assistance Services based on reasonable criteria. The State Board of Medical Assistance Services shall, by regulation, establish a reasonable rate per day of inpatient care for temporary detention.
G. The employee or the designee of the local community services board who is conducting the evaluation pursuant to this section shall determine, prior to the issuance of the temporary detention order, the insurance status of the person. Where coverage by a third party payor exists, the facility seeking reimbursement under this section shall first seek reimbursement from the third party payor. The Commonwealth shall reimburse the facility only for the balance of costs remaining after the allowances covered by the third party payor have been received.
H. The duration of temporary detention shall be sufficient to allow for completion of the examination required by §37.2-815, preparation of the preadmission screening report required by §37.2-816, and initiation of mental health treatment to stabilize the person's psychiatric condition to avoid involuntary commitment where possible, but shall not exceed 72 hours prior to a hearing. If the 72-hour period herein specified terminates on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which the court is lawfully closed, the person may be detained, as herein provided, until the close of business on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which the court is lawfully closed. The person may be released, pursuant to §37.2-813, before the 72-hour period herein specified has run.
I. If a temporary detention order is not executed within 24 hours of its issuance, or within a shorter period as is specified in the order, the order shall be void and shall be returned unexecuted to the office of the clerk of the issuing court or, if the office is not open, to any magistrate serving the jurisdiction of the issuing court. Subsequent orders may be issued upon the original petition within 96 hours after the petition is filed. However, a magistrate must again obtain the advice of an employee or a designee of the local community services board prior to issuing a subsequent order upon the original petition. Any petition for which no temporary detention order or other process in connection therewith is served on the subject of the petition within 96 hours after the petition is filed shall be void and shall be returned to the office of the clerk of the issuing court.
J. The Executive Secretary
of the Supreme Court of Virginia chief
judge of each general district court shall establish and
require that a magistrate, as provided by this section, be available seven days
a week, 24 hours a day, for the purpose of performing the duties established by
this section. Each community services board shall provide to each general
district court and magistrate's office within its service area a list of its
employees and designees who are available to perform the evaluations required
herein.
K. For purposes of this section, a health care provider or designee of a local community services board or behavioral health authority shall not be required to encrypt any email containing information or medical records provided to a magistrate unless there is reason to believe that a third party will attempt to intercept the email.
L. If the employee or designee of the community services board who is conducting the evaluation pursuant to this section recommends that the person should not be subject to a temporary detention order, such employee or designee shall (i) inform the petitioner, the person who initiated emergency custody if such person is present, and an onsite treating physician of his recommendation; (ii) promptly inform such person who initiated emergency custody that the community services board will facilitate communication between the person and the magistrate if the person disagrees with recommendations of the employee or designee of the community services board who conducted the evaluation and the person who initiated emergency custody so requests; and (iii) upon prompt request made by the person who initiated emergency custody, arrange for such person who initiated emergency custody to communicate with the magistrate as soon as is practicable and prior to the expiration of the period of emergency custody. The magistrate shall consider any information provided by the person who initiated emergency custody and any recommendations of the treating or examining physician and the employee or designee of the community services board who conducted the evaluation and consider such information and recommendations in accordance with subsection B in making his determination to issue a temporary detention order. The person who is the subject of emergency custody shall remain in the custody of law enforcement or a designee of law enforcement and shall not be released from emergency custody until communication with the magistrate pursuant to this subsection has concluded and the magistrate has made a determination regarding issuance of a temporary detention order.
M. For purposes of this section, "person who initiated emergency custody" means any person who initiated the issuance of an emergency custody order pursuant to §37.2-808 or a law-enforcement officer who takes a person into custody pursuant to subsection G of §37.2-808.
N. In any case in which a person subject to an evaluation pursuant to this section is receiving services in a hospital emergency department, the treating physician or his designee and the employee or designee of the local community services board shall disclose to each other relevant information pertaining to the individual's treatment in the emergency department.
