David Reid Measure to Add a Judge in Loudoun and Fauquier's Twentieth Circuit Advances

Sep 7, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

RICHMOND, VA – With the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session in its final weeks, a key provision to increase the number of judges in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit has gained significant traction through House Bill 443. Originally introduced as House Bill 46 by Delegate David Reid of the 28th District, the measure seeks to raise the maximum number of authorized circuit court judges in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit from five to six. This change, recommended by the Judicial Council of Virginia following a review of judicial workloads, addresses mounting caseload pressures in one of the state’s busiest circuits.

The Twentieth Judicial Circuit serves Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, areas experiencing rapid population growth and increased demand on court resources. Loudoun County, in particular, has seen its population surge due to its proximity to the Washington, D.C., metro area, leading to higher volumes of civil, criminal, and family law cases. Currently, the circuit is staffed by five judges: Chief Judge Douglas Fleming, Stephen Sincavage, James Fisher, James Plowman, and Matthew Snow. Proponents argue that an additional judgeship will help alleviate backlogs, ensuring cases are resolved more efficiently and upholding the rule of law.

House Bill 46 was prefiled on December 26, 2025, and referred to the House Courts of Justice Committee. On February 4, 2026, the committee incorporated it into HB 443, sponsored by Delegate Patrick Hope, via a voice vote. HB 443 expands judicial capacity across multiple districts and circuits, including one additional general district judge in the Twelfth and Twenty-sixth Districts, one juvenile and domestic relations judge in the Twelfth and Fifteenth Districts, and another circuit judge in the Twenty-seventh Circuit.

The House passed HB 443 on February 10, 2026, by a unanimous block vote of 98-0, demonstrating strong bipartisan backing, including from Republican members who prioritize a robust judiciary capable of delivering timely justice. The bill then moved to the Senate, where the Courts of Justice Committee reported it favorably on February 18 before referring it to Finance and Appropriations. The Senate passed a substitute version on March 4 by a unanimous block vote of 40-0, prompting the House to reject the Senate changes 96-1 on March 6. As of March 11, the bill remains in conference, with House conferees Delegate Hope, Delegate Maldonado, and Delegate Ballard appointed alongside Senate conferees Senators Perry, Deeds, and Stuart.

Fiscal analyses underscore the practical implications of the expansion. The Department of Planning and Budget estimated first-year costs for the additional Twentieth Circuit judge at $351,849 from the General Fund, covering salary and benefits of $334,044, $12,205 for a substitute judge, $1,500 for clerk support, and $4,100 in one-time setup expenses. Ongoing annual costs are projected at $347,749. These figures reflect the commitment to funding essential judicial infrastructure without compromising fiscal discipline.

Republican delegates have emphasized the importance of such investments in maintaining public safety and court efficiency. The unanimous House passage, led by a broad coalition including conservatives focused on law and order, signals recognition that overloaded courts can delay justice for victims of crime and fair trials for the accused. In regions like Loudoun and Fauquier, where development and population influx have strained local resources, the extra judgeship promises to expedite resolutions in felony cases, property disputes, and domestic matters.

The Judicial Council’s endorsement adds weight to the proposal, stemming from data-driven assessments of caseloads per judge. Virginia’s circuit courts handle serious criminal prosecutions, major civil suits, and appeals from lower courts, making adequate staffing critical. With HB 443’s conference underway just days before potential sine die adjournment, stakeholders watch closely as lawmakers negotiate the final language.

Supporters highlight that similar expansions in prior years have proven effective in other circuits, reducing delays and enhancing access to justice. The Twentieth Circuit’s current judges manage a diverse docket amid Fauquier’s rural character and Loudoun’s suburban boom. An sixth judge would distribute the workload, potentially shortening trial wait times and improving overall system performance.

As the conference committee deliberates, the measure’s fate could influence judicial operations for years ahead. Republican participation in the conference, through delegates like Maldonado and Ballard, underscores a shared priority across party lines for a stronger judiciary that serves all Virginians effectively.

Email the Loudoun County School Board:
April Chandler, april.chandler@lcps.org,
Anne Donohue, anne.donohue@lcps.org,
Deana Griffiths, deana.griffiths@lcps.org,
Ross Svenson, ross.stevenson@lcps.org,
Kari LaBell, kari.labell@lcps.org,
Jon Pepper, jonathon.pepper@lcps.org,
Lauren Shernoff, lauren.shernoff@lcps.org,
Sumera Rashid, sumera.rashid@lcps.org,
Amy Riccardi, amy.riccardi@lcps.org,

Email the Board of Supervisors at:
Phyllis J. Randall (Chair, At-Large) – Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Michael R. Turner (Vice Chair, Ashburn District) – Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli E. Briskman (Algonkian District) – Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia R. Glass (Broad Run District) – Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner (Catoctin District) – caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matthew F. Letourneau (Dulles District) – Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen C. Umstattd (Leesburg District) – Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura A. TeKrony (Little River District) – Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines (Sterling District) – Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov

Email the Fauquier County Board/Council:

Email the Fauquier County School Board:

Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

Email the Washington County Board of Supervisors:
Phillip McCall, pmccall@washcova.com,
Randy Pennington, rpennington@washcova.com,
Charlie Hargis Jr., chargis@washcova.com,
Lee Brannon, lbrannon@washcova.com,
David Matlock, dmatlock@washcova.com,
Saul Hernandez, shernandez@washcova.com,
Dwayne Ball, dball@washcova.com,

Email the Washington County School Board:
Jenny Nichols, jnichols@wcs.k12.va.us,
Debbie Anderson, danderso@wcs.k12.va.us,
Sandra Frederick, sandyf@wcs.k12.va.us,
Sanders Henderson, shenderson@wcs.k12.va.us,
Crystal Rasnake, cdrasnake@wcs.k12.va.us,
Adam Wilson, awilson@wcs.k12.va.us,
Andy Puckett, andyp@wcs.k12.va.us,

Fauquier County Loudoun County Richmond Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Washington County Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adam Wilson Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Ali Faruk Amy Laufer Amy Riccardi Andrew Breton Andy Puckett Angelia Williams Graves Anne Donohue Anne Holton Anne Tata April Chandler Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Caleb Kershner Charlie Hargis Jr. Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Cheryl Burke Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes Creigh Deeds Crime Crystal Rasnake Cynthia Newbille Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs Data David Marsden David Matlock David Reid David Suetterlein Deana Griffiths Debbie Anderson Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Dwayne Ball Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Ellen Robertson Emily Jordan Emmett Jafari Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Felony Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Gretchen Bulova Hillary Kent Holly Seibold Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jenny Nichols Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Jon Pepper Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Juli Briskman Justin Pence Juvenile Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Kari LaBell Karrie Delaney Katherine Jordan Kathryn Ricard Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kenya Gibson Kimberly Pope Adams Koran Saines Kristen Umstattd Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Laura TeKrony Lauren Shernoff Lawmakers Lee Brannon Lee Ware Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Loudoun County Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Loudoun County School Board Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez Matt Letourneau Matthew Percival May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mike Turner Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Nicole Jones Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip McCall Phillip Scott Phyllis Randall Rae Cousins Randy Pennington Republican Reva Trammell Richard Stuart Richmond Richmond City Council Richmond School Board Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Ross Svenson Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Sanders Henderson Sandra Frederick Sarah Abubaker Saul Hernandez Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Shavonda Fernandez Shelly Simonds Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Stephanie Lynch Stephanie Rizzi Sumera Rashid Sylvia Glass Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts Washington County Board of Supervisors Washington County School Board Wendell Walker Wesley Hedgepeth Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams