CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEATH OR DISABILITY OF JUDGE DURING TRIAL; HOW ANOTHER JUDGE PROCURED TO
CONTINUE WITH TRIAL (§ 19.2-154)

If by reason of death, sickness or other disability the judge who presided at a
criminal jury trial is unable to proceed with and finish the trial, another
judge of that court or a judge designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court or by a justice designated by him for that purpose, may proceed with and
finish the trial or, in his discretion, may grant and preside at a new trial. If
by reason of such disability, the judge who presided at any trial is unable to
perform the duties to be performed by the court after a finding of guilty by the
jury or the court, another judge of that court, or a judge designated as
provided in the preceding sentence, may perform those duties or, in his
discretion, may grant and preside at a new trial. Before proceeding with the
trial or performing such duties, such judge shall certify that he has
familiarized himself with the record of the trial.

HISTORY: 1975, c. 495.