Constitution of Virginia
Article VI - Judiciary
Section 7. Selection and qualification of
judges.
The justices of the Supreme Court shall be chosen by the vote
of a majority of the members elected to each house of the General
Assembly for terms of twelve years. The judges of all other courts
of record shall be chosen by the vote of a majority of the members
elected to each house of the General Assembly for terms of eight
years. During any vacancy which may exist while the General Assembly
is not in session, the Governor may appoint a successor to serve
until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of
the General Assembly. Upon election by the General Assembly, a
new justice or judge shall begin service of a full term.
All justices of the Supreme Court and all judges of other courts
of record shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall, at
least five years prior to their appointment or election, have
been admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth. Each judge of a
trial court of record shall during his term of office reside within
the jurisdiction of one of the courts to which he was appointed
or elected; provided, however, that where the boundary of such
jurisdiction is changed by annexation or otherwise, no judge thereof
shall thereby become disqualified from office or ineligible for
reelection if, except for such annexation or change, he would
otherwise be qualified.