Virginia law requires that all felony trials in courts of record be recorded verbatim, either by court reporters or approved electronic devices. The costs of recording and transcripts are paid by the Commonwealth, with provisions for maintaining and preserving these records. The law also details procedures for handling evidence and transcripts for appeals.
The Commonwealth is responsible for paying the costs of recording felony trials, including the expenses for court reporters or electronic recording devices.
Records are kept for at least five years if an appeal was filed, and for ten years if no appeal was taken.
Yes, courts may approve mechanical or electronic devices for verbatim recording of trial evidence and incidents.
The original records are filed with the clerk of the circuit court and preserved in the court's public records for the specified period, depending on whether an appeal was filed.