Virginia Code 16.1-69.53: Definitions; construction of references to period of years.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 16.1-69.53
- Administrative records: shall mean all other court papers and records not otherwise defined. See Virginia Code 16.1-69.53
- Case records: shall mean all documents, dockets and indices. See Virginia Code 16.1-69.53
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Documents: shall mean all motions for judgment, bills of complaint, answers, bills of particulars, other pleadings, interrogatories, motions in writing, warrants, summonses, petitions, proof of service, witness summonses and subpoenas, documents received in evidence, transcripts, orders, judgments, writs, and any other similar case-related records and papers in the possession of the district courts and filed with the pleadings in the case. See Virginia Code 16.1-69.53
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Financial records: shall mean all papers and records related to the receipt and disbursement of money by the district court. See Virginia Code 16.1-69.53
- in writing: include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Virginia Code 1-257
- Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
- Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
“Court records” shall include case records, financial records and administrative records as defined in this section.
“Case records” shall mean all documents, dockets and indices.
“Documents” shall mean all motions for judgment, bills of complaint, answers, bills of particulars, other pleadings, interrogatories, motions in writing, warrants, summonses, petitions, proof of service, witness summonses and subpoenas, documents received in evidence, transcripts, orders, judgments, writs, and any other similar case-related records and papers in the possession of the district courts and filed with the pleadings in the case.
“Financial records” shall mean all papers and records related to the receipt and disbursement of money by the district court.
“Administrative records” shall mean all other court papers and records not otherwise defined.
Whenever a reference to a period of years for the retention of documents is made in this section, it shall be construed to commence on January 2 of the first year following (i) the final adjudication of a civil case or (ii) the final disposition in all other cases, unless otherwise specified herein. In foster care cases, the final disposition date is the date of transfer of custody to a local board of social services or a child welfare agency.
1983, c. 499; 2002, c. 747.