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# Randolph A. Beales

Court of Appeals of Virginia · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals of Virginia
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals of Virginia, 2006-present
- Randolph Allen “Randy” Beales is an incumbent judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals, serving since March 10, 2006, after being elected by the Virginia General Assembly.
- Private Practice: Partner at Christian & Barton, LLP (2002–2006)
- 41st Attorney General of Virginia (2001–2002)
- Chief Deputy Attorney General (1998–2001)
- In summary: Judge Randolph A. Beales is a veteran Virginia jurist with a career spanning federal service, state leadership as Attorney General, private legal practice, and now appellate judicial service, recognized for both his legal work and community involvement

### Education

- B.A., College of William & Mary (1982) J.D., University of Virginia School of Law (1986).

### Additional information

- Tenure: Elected 2006 for an eight-year term; re-elected in 2014 for another eight years, serving until April 15, 2022.
- Elected to the Virginia Court of Appeals in 2006; re-elected in 2014.
- Commonwealth of Virginia (2013), one of his most cited decisions.
- Virginia Government Roles: Executive Director, Governor’s Commission on Champion Schools (1994–1996).
- Born: February 10, 1960, in Richmond, Virginia.
- Date of birth: 1960-01-01
- focusing on administrative law, legislative affairs, trusts/estates, and education law.
- Has authored numerous published opinions, including Jacobs v.
- Federal Service: Served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush in the U.S. Department of Education and at the White House.
- Native of: Boydton, Virginia.
- Birth place: Boydton

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.

Evidence excerpt: Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.

[Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8413/randolph-allen-beales/)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8413/randolph-allen-beales/)
- [Wikidata: Randolph A. Beales](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7291780)

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