CHAP. 347.—An ACT to provide a trial justice in all counties having a
population in excess of 300 persons per square mile as shown by
United States census, to prescribe his jurisdiction in both civil and
criminal matters, and to fix his compensation.

Approved March 28rd, 1912.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
in all counties in this State having a population greater than
three hundred inhabitants per square mile, as shown by United
States census, there shall be appointed by the judge of the circuit
court for such counties,-upon the passage of this bill, and each
two years thereafter, a trial justice for such counties, if in his
discretion he deem it necessary, who shall be a practicing at-
torney resident in said county. The said trial justices to be ap-
pointed upon the passage of this bill shall serve until and
Including the thirty-first day of December, nineteen hundred and

teen.

2. The said trial justices shall have concurrent jurisdiction
with justices of the peace in all civil cases, and from the decision
of said trial justices the same right of appeal shall lie to the
circuit court of such counties as now lies from said justices of
the peace.

3. The said trial justices shall have in criminal cases the
same jurisdiction for their respective counties as is now, or may
hereafter be vested by general laws in the police justices of
cities, but nothing in this act shall be construed to interfere with
or abridge the rights of justices of the peace to issue, and to
receive their fees therefor, warrants and subpoenas in criminal
cases, which said warrants and subpoenas shall be returnable
before said trial justices for action thereon.

4. The justices of the peace in all counties affected by this
act shall, upon the appointment and qualification of said trial
justices, make returnable before said trial justices all processes
issued by them in criminal cases, and said trial justices are re-
quired to sit at the county seats of their respective counties for
the hearing of all cases which may be brought before them.

5. The compensation of each of the said trial justices is
hereby fixed at the sum of one thousand dollars per annum, to
be paid as are the salaries and allowances of the judges of the
circuit courts of this State.

6. The clerk of the circuit court of each county affected by
this act shall serve as clerk to the said trial justice appointed
for his county, and shall receive for his services the same fees
as are now or may hereafter be provided by law for similar
services rendered to the circuit court for such county. All con-
troversies involving twenty dollars or over may be removed to
the circuit court as in other cases before justices of the peace.