{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/16.1-69.25.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/16.1-69.25.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/16.1-69.25.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/16.1-69.25.html"}],"law_id":349813,"edition_id":2,"section_id":349813,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.25","catch_line":"Judge may issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1994, c. 500; 2014, cc. 305, 310.","full_text":"Except as otherwise provided by general law, a judge of a district court may, within the scope of his general jurisdiction, issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas, including subpoenas duces tecum or other process, in civil, traffic and criminal cases, to be returned before his court, and may also issue fugitive warrants and conduct proceedings thereon in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-99 through 19.2-104.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1303974,"text":"Except as otherwise provided by general law, a judge of a district court may, within the scope of his general jurisdiction, issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas, including subpoenas duces tecum or other process, in civil, traffic and criminal cases, to be returned before his court, and may also issue fugitive warrants and conduct proceedings thereon in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-99 through 19.2-104.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50097,"edition_id":2,"name":"Districts; District Courts and Judges","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50095,"metadata":{"child_laws":35,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:21:58","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:58","permalink":{"id":1389019,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50097,"identifier":"2","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50095,"edition_id":2,"name":"District Courts","identifier":"4.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":50057,"metadata":{"child_laws":89,"child_structures":6},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:21:58","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:58","permalink":{"id":1388995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50095,"identifier":"4.1","token":"16.1\/4.1","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/","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":349794,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.10","catch_line":"Number of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.10\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.10","metadata":false},{"id":349795,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.11","catch_line":"Chief judges; judges; substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.11\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.11","metadata":false},{"id":349796,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.11:1","catch_line":"Acting chief judge","url":"\/16.1-69.11_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.11_1","metadata":false},{"id":349797,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.12","catch_line":"Limitations on practice of law by judges","url":"\/16.1-69.12\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.12","metadata":false},{"id":349798,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.13","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-69.13\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.13","metadata":false},{"id":349799,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.14","catch_line":"Number of substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.14\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.14","metadata":false},{"id":349800,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.15","catch_line":"Qualifications of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.15\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.15","metadata":false},{"id":349801,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.16","catch_line":"Residence requirements","url":"\/16.1-69.16\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.16","metadata":false},{"id":349802,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.17","catch_line":"Oath of office of judges, clerks and others","url":"\/16.1-69.17\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.17","metadata":false},{"id":349803,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.17:1","catch_line":"Time within which a judge may qualify; failure to do so vacates office","url":"\/16.1-69.17_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":349804,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.18","catch_line":"Bonds of judges, clerks, and others handling funds","url":"\/16.1-69.18\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.18","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349805,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.19","catch_line":"Incompatible offices","url":"\/16.1-69.19\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.19","metadata":false},{"id":349807,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-69.20\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.20","metadata":false},{"id":349808,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.21","catch_line":"When substitute to serve; his powers and duties","url":"\/16.1-69.21\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.21","metadata":false},{"id":349809,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.22","catch_line":"Removal of judges and substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.22\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.22","metadata":false},{"id":349810,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.22:1","catch_line":"Temporary recall of retired district court judges; evaluation","url":"\/16.1-69.22_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.22_1","metadata":false},{"id":349811,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.23","catch_line":"In what cases judge disqualified","url":"\/16.1-69.23\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.23","metadata":false},{"id":349812,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.24","catch_line":"Contempt of court","url":"\/16.1-69.24\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.24","metadata":false},{"id":349813,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.25","catch_line":"Judge may issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas","url":"\/16.1-69.25\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25","metadata":false},{"id":349814,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.25:1","catch_line":"Judge shall order bill of particulars; time for motion","url":"\/16.1-69.25_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25_1","metadata":false},{"id":349815,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.26","catch_line":"Judges as conservators of the peace","url":"\/16.1-69.26\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.26","metadata":false},{"id":349816,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.27","catch_line":"Additional powers of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.27\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.27","metadata":false},{"id":349817,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.28","catch_line":"Commitment of insane, etc., persons","url":"\/16.1-69.28\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.28","metadata":false},{"id":349818,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.29","catch_line":"Jurisdiction over certain waters","url":"\/16.1-69.29\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.29","metadata":false},{"id":349819,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.29:1","catch_line":"Certain information to be made available to certain defendants found not guilty","url":"\/16.1-69.29_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.29_1","metadata":false},{"id":349872,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.6","catch_line":"Establishment of districts","url":"\/16.1-69.6\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6","metadata":false},{"id":349873,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.6:1","catch_line":"Number of judges","url":"\/16.1-69.6_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":349874,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.7","catch_line":"District courts","url":"\/16.1-69.7\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.7","metadata":false},{"id":349875,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.7:1","catch_line":"Establishment of certain district courts","url":"\/16.1-69.7_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":349876,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.8","catch_line":"Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception","url":"\/16.1-69.8\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.8","metadata":false},{"id":349877,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.9","catch_line":"Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed","url":"\/16.1-69.9\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9","metadata":false},{"id":349878,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:1","catch_line":"Appointment, terms, etc., of substitute judges","url":"\/16.1-69.9_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_1","metadata":false},{"id":349879,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:2","catch_line":"Vacancies in office of judges; terms of successor judges; appointment while General Assembly not in session","url":"\/16.1-69.9_2\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_2","metadata":false},{"id":349880,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:3","catch_line":"Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled","url":"\/16.1-69.9_3\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_3","metadata":false},{"id":349881,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.9:4","catch_line":"Same; election of successor judges","url":"\/16.1-69.9_4\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.9_4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":349812,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.24","catch_line":"Contempt of court","url":"\/16.1-69.24\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.24","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":349814,"structure_id":50097,"section_number":"16.1-69.25:1","catch_line":"Judge shall order bill of particulars; time for motion","url":"\/16.1-69.25_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.25\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 708 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1973, chapter 546; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0500\">500<\/a>; in 2014, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0305\">305<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0310\">310<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":351217,"section_number":"19.2-104","catch_line":"Forfeiture of bail","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-104\/"},{"id":351977,"section_number":"19.2-99","catch_line":"Arrest prior to requisition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-99\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1389093,"object_type":"law","relational_id":349813,"identifier":"16.1-69.25","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25","url":"\/16.1-69.25\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.25\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/2\/16.1-69.25","dublin_core":{"Title":"Judge may issue warrants, summons, and subpoenas","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.25","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Except as otherwise provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, a <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of a district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may, within the scope of his general <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> warrants, <span class=\"dictionary\">summons<\/span>, and <span class=\"dictionary\">subpoenas<\/span>, including <span class=\"dictionary\">subpoenas<\/span> duces tecum or other process, in civil, traffic and criminal cases, to be returned before his <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>, and may also <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> fugitive warrants and conduct proceedings thereon in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Arrest prior to requisition\" href=\"\/19.2-99\/\">19.2-99<\/a> through <a class=\"law\" title=\"Forfeiture of bail\" href=\"\/19.2-104\/\">19.2-104<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nJUDGE MAY ISSUE WARRANTS, SUMMONS, AND SUBPOENAS (\u00a7 16.1-69.25)\n\nExcept as otherwise provided by general law, a judge of a district court may,\nwithin the scope of his general jurisdiction, issue warrants, summons, and\nsubpoenas, including subpoenas duces tecum or other process, in civil, traffic\nand criminal cases, to be returned before his court, and may also issue fugitive\nwarrants and conduct proceedings thereon in accordance with the provisions of\n\u00a7\u00a7 19.2-99 through 19.2-104.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1994, c. 500; 2014, cc. 305, 310.","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"}}