OTHER IMPORTANT OFFICES, COUNCILS, AND COMMISSIONS
 

In order for Virginia's judicial system to run smoothly, several individuals, committees, and councils are at work.  Below are some of the significant councils and commissions:

Judicial Council: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the presiding officer of this council, with other members including one Court of Appeals judge, six Circuit Court judges, one judge from General District Court, one judge from Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, two attorneys qualified to practice in the Supreme Court, and the Chairmen of the Committees for Courts of Justice in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.  Members are appointed by the Chief Justice and can serve a term of up to four years.

The Judicial Council has the responsibility of continuously studying the judicial system in Virginia. This includes examination of organization, rules, procedures and practices.  It also reviews the results achieved by the system and the individual offices and courts within the system.  Annually, this council makes recommendations to the General Assembly and Supreme Court.

Committee on District Courts:  One of the main responsibilities of this council is to recommend new judgeships and authorize the number of district court clerks, magistrates, and other judicial personnel in each district.  This committee also establishes guidelines and polices for system personnel, including salary classifications and schedules.  The membership of this committee is also made up of a variety of parties holding positions of authority within the system.

Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission: this commission consists of seven members, elected by a majority of both houses of the General Assembly of Virginia.  They serve four year terms.  The commission includes one judge from a Circuit Court, one from a General District Court, one from a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, as well as two lawyers and two members of the public.  The Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission was established to investigate complaints of misconduct made against judges within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  This commission has jurisdiction to investigate all judges, including Supreme Court justices, as well as members of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission and the State Corporation Commission.  They have the authority to bring charges on a variety of grounds, including violations of judicial ethics, misconduct in office, or failure to perform duties.

These are just a few of the important bodies that function behind the scene to make Virginia's judicial system run as efficiently as possible. There are many other committees, commissions, and other agencies within Virginia's judicial system.  For more information, follow this link: Courts in Brief.