{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/16.1-240.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/16.1-240.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/16.1-240.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/16.1-240.html"}],"law_id":349561,"edition_id":2,"section_id":349561,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-240","catch_line":"Citizens advisory council","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 16.1-157; 1956, c. 555; 1968, c. 435; 1977, c. 559; 1989, c. 733; 2012, cc. 164, 456.","full_text":"A\n\nThe governing bodies of each county and city served by a court service unit may appoint one or more members to a citizens advisory council, in total not to exceed 15 members; and the chief judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court may appoint one or more members to the advisory council, in total not to exceed five members. The duties of the council shall be as follows:\n\n1\n\nTo advise and cooperate with the court upon all matters affecting the working of this law and other laws relating to children, their care and protection and to domestic relations;\n\n2\n\nTo consult and confer with the court and director of the court service unit from time to time relative to the development and extension of the court service program;\n\n3\n\nTo encourage the member selected by the council to serve on the central advisory council to visit, as often as the member conveniently can, institutions and associations receiving children under this law, and to report to the court from time to time and at least annually in its report made pursuant to subdivision 5 the conditions and surroundings of the children received by or in charge of any such persons, institutions or associations;\n\n4\n\nTo make themselves familiar with the work of the court under this law; and\n\n5\n\nTo make an annual report to the court and the participating governing bodies on the work of the council.\n\nB\n\nIf the governing body does not exercise its option to appoint a citizens advisory council pursuant to subsection A, the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court may appoint an advisory board of citizens, not to exceed 15 members, who shall perform the same duties as provided in this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1302633,"text":"The governing bodies of each county and city served by a court service unit may appoint one or more members to a citizens advisory council, in total not to exceed 15 members; and the chief judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court may appoint one or more members to the advisory council, in total not to exceed five members. The duties of the council shall be as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1302634,"text":"To advise and cooperate with the court upon all matters affecting the working of this law and other laws relating to children, their care and protection and to domestic relations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1302635,"text":"To consult and confer with the court and director of the court service unit from time to time relative to the development and extension of the court service program;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1302636,"text":"To encourage the member selected by the council to serve on the central advisory council to visit, as often as the member conveniently can, institutions and associations receiving children under this law, and to report to the court from time to time and at least annually in its report made pursuant to subdivision 5 the conditions and surroundings of the children received by or in charge of any such persons, institutions or associations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":1302637,"text":"To make themselves familiar with the work of the court under this law; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":1302638,"text":"To make an annual report to the court and the participating governing bodies on the work of the council.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":1302639,"text":"If the governing body does not exercise its option to appoint a citizens advisory council pursuant to subsection A, the judge of the juvenile and domestic relations district court may appoint an advisory board of citizens, not to exceed 15 members, who shall perform the same duties as provided in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50071,"edition_id":2,"name":"Organization and Personnel","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50069,"metadata":{"child_laws":13,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:21:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:01","permalink":{"id":1388429,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50071,"identifier":"2","token":"16.1\/11\/2","url":"\/16.1\/11\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50069,"edition_id":2,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":12,"parent_id":50057,"metadata":{"child_laws":246,"child_structures":22},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:21:21","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:00","permalink":{"id":1387947,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50069,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50057,"edition_id":2,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":48,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":446,"child_structures":47},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:21:14","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:57","permalink":{"id":1387921,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50057,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":349549,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-230","catch_line":"Organization and operation of juvenile and domestic relations district courts","url":"\/16.1-230\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-230","metadata":false},{"id":349550,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-231","catch_line":"Rules of procedure","url":"\/16.1-231\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-231","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349551,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-232","catch_line":"Attorney for the Commonwealth to prosecute certain cases and represent Commonwealth on appeal","url":"\/16.1-232\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-232","metadata":false},{"id":349552,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-233","catch_line":"Department to develop court services; court services units; appointment and removal of employees; salaries","url":"\/16.1-233\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-233","metadata":false},{"id":349553,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-234","catch_line":"Duties of Department; provision of quarters, utilities, and office equipment to court service unit","url":"\/16.1-234\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-234","metadata":false},{"id":349555,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-235","catch_line":"How probation, parole and related court services provided","url":"\/16.1-235\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-235","metadata":false},{"id":349554,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-235.1","catch_line":"Provision of court services; replacement intake officers","url":"\/16.1-235.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-235.1","metadata":false},{"id":349557,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-236","catch_line":"Supervisory officers","url":"\/16.1-236\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-236","metadata":false},{"id":349556,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-236.1","catch_line":"Court services unit directors","url":"\/16.1-236.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-236.1","metadata":false},{"id":349558,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-237","catch_line":"Powers, duties and functions of probation and parole officers","url":"\/16.1-237\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-237","metadata":false},{"id":349559,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-238","catch_line":"Compensation of probation officers, court service staff members and related court service personnel; reimbursement; traveling and other expenses","url":"\/16.1-238\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-238","metadata":false},{"id":349560,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-239","catch_line":"Payment of traveling expenses of court officers; reimbursement","url":"\/16.1-239\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-239","metadata":false},{"id":349561,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-240","catch_line":"Citizens advisory council","url":"\/16.1-240\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-240","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":349560,"structure_id":50071,"section_number":"16.1-239","catch_line":"Payment of traveling expenses of court officers; reimbursement","url":"\/16.1-239\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-239","metadata":false},"metadata":{"court_decisions":""},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-240\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1956, chapter 555; in 1968, chapter 435; in 1977, chapter 559; in 1989, chapter 733; in 2012, chapters 164<\/a> and 456<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1388479,"object_type":"law","relational_id":349561,"identifier":"16.1-240","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-240","url":"\/16.1-240\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-240\/","token":"16.1\/11\/2\/16.1-240","dublin_core":{"Title":"Citizens advisory council","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-240","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The governing bodies of each county and city served by a court<\/span> service unit may appoint one or more members to a citizens advisory council, in total not to exceed 15 members; and the chief judge<\/span> of the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> may appoint one or more members to the advisory council, in total not to exceed five members. The duties of the council shall be as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To advise and cooperate with the court<\/span> upon all matters affecting the working of this law<\/span> and other laws<\/span> relating to children, their care and protection and to domestic relations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To consult and confer with the court<\/span> and director<\/span> of the court<\/span> service unit from time to time relative to the development and extension of the court<\/span> service program; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To encourage the member selected by the council to serve on the central advisory council to visit, as often as the member conveniently can, institutions and associations receiving children under this law<\/span>, and to report to the court<\/span> from time to time and at least annually in its report made pursuant to subdivision 5 the conditions and surroundings of the children received by or in charge of any such persons, institutions or associations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To make themselves familiar with the work of the court<\/span> under this law<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To make an annual report to the court<\/span> and the participating governing bodies on the work of the council. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the governing body does not exercise its option to appoint a citizens advisory council pursuant to subsection A, the judge<\/span> of the juvenile and domestic relations district court may appoint an advisory board of citizens, not to exceed 15 members, who shall perform the same duties as provided in this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL (\u00a7 16.1-240)\n\nA. The governing bodies of each county and city served by a court service unit\nmay appoint one or more members to a citizens advisory council, in total not to\nexceed 15 members; and the chief judge of the juvenile and domestic relations\ndistrict court may appoint one or more members to the advisory council, in total\nnot to exceed five members. The duties of the council shall be as follows:\n\n 1. To advise and cooperate with the court upon all matters affecting the\n working of this law and other laws relating to children, their care and\n protection and to domestic relations;\n\n 2. To consult and confer with the court and director of the court service unit\n from time to time relative to the development and extension of the court\n service program;\n\n 3. To encourage the member selected by the council to serve on the central\n advisory council to visit, as often as the member conveniently can,\n institutions and associations receiving children under this law, and to report\n to the court from time to time and at least annually in its report made\n pursuant to subdivision 5 the conditions and surroundings of the children\n received by or in charge of any such persons, institutions or associations;\n\n 4. To make themselves familiar with the work of the court under this law; and\n\n 5. To make an annual report to the court and the participating governing\n bodies on the work of the council.\n\nB. If the governing body does not exercise its option to appoint a citizens\nadvisory council pursuant to subsection A, the judge of the juvenile and\ndomestic relations district court may appoint an advisory board of citizens, not\nto exceed 15 members, who shall perform the same duties as provided in this\nsection.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 16.1-157; 1956, c. 555; 1968, c. 435; 1977, c. 559; 1989,\nc. 733; 2012, cc. 164, 456.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}