CHAPTER 196

An Act to amend and reenact § 5904-a, as amended, of the Code of 1919,
which was continued in effect by § 16-50 of the Code of Virginia,
relating to the judge of the county court in certain counties. 5267

26

Approved March 10, 1954
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 5904-a, as amended, of the Code of 1919, which was con-
tinued in effect by § 16-50 of the Code of Virginia, be amended and
reenacted as follows:

§ 5904-a. In each county of this Commonwealth having a popula-
tion greater than two thousand inhabitants a square mile, as shown by
the last preceding United States census, there shall be chosen by the
qualified voters of the county, at the general election on the Tuesday
after the first Monday in November, nineteen hundred thirty-one, for a
period of four years, and every four years thereafter, a trial justice for
the county, who shall be known as the judge of the county court and
whose court shall be known as the county court, and who shall be a
resident and qualified voter of the county and a member of the bar
thereof. He shall hold office from the first day of January next succeed-
ing his election. Any vacancy occurring in the office shall be filled for
the unexpired term by the senior judge of the circuit court of the county.
The judge shall not practice law, within or without this State, during his
continuance in office and he shall receive an annual salary, payable in
monthly installments out of the county treasury, of six thousand dollars;
provided that on and after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, such
salary shall be increased to eight thousand dollars. Provided that if the
qualified voters of such county voting in an election called and held as
hereinafter provided shall vote for the appointment of the trial justice
by the circuit court of the county, such justice shall, prior to January one,
nineteen hundred fifty-six, be appointed by the senior judge of the circutt
court of such county and shall take office on January one following his
appointment.

At the regular election in November nineteen hundred fifty-four,
there shall be a referendum on the following question: Shall the trial
justice of the county be appointed by the senior judge of the circuit
court of the county? Procedure in such election shall be governed by the
provisions of § 24-141 of the Code of Virginia.