Virginia SB 149: Courthouse and courtroom security; assessment.

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Bill Tracking - 2020 session > Legislation 

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2020 SESSION

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CHAPTER 602 

An Act to amend and reenact � 53.1-120 of the Code of 
Virginia, relating to courthouse and courtroom security; assessment. 

[S 149] 

Approved April 2, 2020 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That � 53.1-120 of the Code of Virginia is amended and 
reenacted as follows:

� 53.1-120. Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom 
security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment.

A. Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and 
courtrooms within his jurisdiction are secure from violence and disruption and 
shall designate deputies for this purpose. A list of such designations shall be 
forwarded to the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

B. The chief circuit court judge, the chief general district 
court judge and the chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge 
shall be responsible by agreement with the sheriff of the jurisdiction for the 
designation of courtroom security deputies for their respective courts. If the 
respective chief judges and sheriff are unable to agree on the number, type and 
working schedules of courtroom security deputies for the court, the matter 
shall be referred to the Compensation Board for resolution in accordance with 
existing budgeted funds and personnel.

C. The sheriff shall have the sole responsibility for the 
identity of the deputies designated for courtroom security.

D. Any county or city, through its governing body, may assess 
a sum not in excess of $10 $20 as part of the costs in each 
criminal or traffic case in its district or circuit court in which the 
defendant is convicted of a violation of any statute or ordinance. If a town 
provides court facilities for a county, the governing body of the county shall 
return to the town a portion of the assessments collected based on the number 
of criminal and traffic cases originating and heard in the town. The imposition 
of such assessment shall be by ordinance of the governing body that may provide 
for different sums in the circuit courts and district courts. The assessment 
shall be collected by the clerk of the court in which the case is heard, 
remitted to the treasurer of the appropriate county or city and held by such treasurer 
to be appropriated by the governing body to the sheriff's office. The 
assessment shall be used solely for the funding of courthouse security 
personnel, and, if requested by the sheriff, equipment and other personal 
property used in connection with courthouse security.