Virginia Beach judges press council for courthouse ADA fixes, request judicial assistant and $20,000 for recovery court

Chief Judge Tanya Felton of the Virginia Beach Circuit Court told the City Council on May 6 that the court needs immediate investments to address facility maintenance and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and requested two budget items: one full-time judicial assistant and funding for the recovery court.

Felton said a 2020 change in state law has increased jury-trial requests sharply, straining scheduling staff. “By last year, that number had risen to 633 jury trials scheduled,” she said, and noted that in the first four months of the year the court had already scheduled 500 jury trials. She said the increase has strained existing staff and threatens constitutional speedy-trial obligations if scheduling delays persist.

Felton asked council to approve adding one full-time judicial assistant to coordinate calendars and help stand up a planned behavioral-health docket. Separately, she said the court seeks funding for a recovery court and introduced former chief judge Lewis to speak about that program.

Judge Lewis described the recovery court (formerly drug court), which began in 2016 and is state-mandated in structure. He said the program now serves 16 active participants, can manage up to 30 at one time, and has enrolled about 80 people since its inception with a roughly 50% graduation rate. Lewis requested a modest annual allotment — “the number I have in mind is $20,000” — to support training and program operations.

Why it matters: Felton said scheduling delays risk dismissed cases and the release of defendants if the court cannot meet speedy-trial requirements, which she said “directly impacts public safety, access to justice, and is concerning to victims.” Lewis emphasized the recovery court’s role in reducing recidivism for people with substance use disorders and framed the $20,000 request as an investment that can reduce downstream criminal-justice costs.

Facility issues: Felton and judge representatives submitted a letter signed by all judges raising maintenance problems and ADA noncompliance at the courthouse. Councilmembers later discussed elevator failures, noncompliant jury benches and juror access problems; the mayor said escalator replacement is expected in November and staff will present reconciliation requests addressing urgent courthouse needs.

Requests and next steps: The circuit court asked for (1) one full-time judicial assistant to manage increased jury scheduling and coordinate a behavioral-health docket, and (2) ongoing modest funding for the recovery court (requested at $20,000 annually). Council members acknowledged the urgency and said staff will include courthouse modernization items in budget reconciliation materials for council consideration.

Ending: Felton and Lewis offered to provide follow-up details and statistics; council invited staff to return with options as part of the fiscal reconciliation.