dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 9 (CRIMES AGAINST PEACE AND ORDER)
§ 18.2-433.2. Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty.
A. A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony, if he:

1. Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder;

2. Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder; or

3. Violates subsection A of § 18.2-282 while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a member of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent or (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on behalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent.

1987, c. 720; 2020, c. 601; 2022, cc. 37, 38.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 9 (CRIMES AGAINST PEACE AND ORDER)
§ 18.2-433.3. Exceptions.
Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to apply to:

1. Any act of a law-enforcement officer performed in the otherwise lawful performance of the officer's official duties;

2. Any activity, undertaken without knowledge of or intent to cause or further a civil disorder, which is intended to teach or practice self-defense or self-defense techniques such as karate clubs or self-defense clinics, and similar lawful activity;

3. Any facility, program or lawful activity related to firearms instruction and training intended to teach the safe handling and use of firearms; or

4. Any other lawful sports or activities related to the individual recreational use or possession of firearms, including but not limited to hunting activities, target shooting, self-defense and firearms collection.

Notwithstanding any language contained herein, no activity of any individual, group, organization or other entity engaged in the lawful display or use of firearms or other weapons or facsimiles thereof shall be deemed to be in violation of this statute.

1987, c. 720.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-1. Repealing clause.
All acts and parts of acts, all sections of this Code, and all provisions of municipal charters, inconsistent with the provisions of this title, are, except as herein otherwise provided, repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

1975, c. 495.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-10. Outlawry abolished.
No proceeding of outlawry shall hereafter be instituted or prosecuted.

Code 1950, § 19.1-15; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-10.1. (Effective until July 1, 2026) Subpoena duces tecum for obtaining records concerning banking and credit cards.
A. A financial institution as defined in § 6.2-604, money transmitter as defined in § 6.2-1900, or commercial businesses providing credit history or credit reports; or an issuer as defined in § 6.2-424 shall disclose a record or other information pertaining to a customer, to a law-enforcement officer pursuant to a subpoena duces tecum issued pursuant to this section.

1. In order to obtain such records, the law-enforcement official shall provide a statement of the facts documenting the reasons that the records or other information sought are relevant to a legitimate law-enforcement inquiry, relating to a named person or persons, to the attorney for the Commonwealth. A court shall issue a subpoena duces tecum upon motion of the Commonwealth only if the court finds that there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and to believe the records sought or other information sought, including electronic data and electronic communications, are relevant to a legitimate law-enforcement inquiry into that offense. The court may issue a subpoena duces tecum under this section regardless of whether any criminal charges have been filed.

2. A court issuing an order pursuant to this section, on a motion made promptly by the financial institution or credit card issuer, or enterprise may quash or modify the subpoena duces tecum, if the information or records requested are unusually voluminous in nature or compliance with such subpoena duces tecum would otherwise cause an undue burden on such provider.

B. No cause of action shall lie in any court against a financial institution or credit card issuer, or enterprise, its officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a subpoena duces tecum under this section.

C. Upon issuance of a subpoena duces tecum under this section, the statement shall be temporarily sealed by the court upon application of the attorney for the Commonwealth for good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding. Any individual arrested and claiming to be aggrieved by the order may move the court for the unsealing of the statement, and the burden of proof with respect to continued sealing shall be upon the Commonwealth.

D. Any and all records received by law enforcement pursuant to this section shall be utilized only for a reasonable amount of time and only for a legitimate law-enforcement purpose. Upon the completion of the investigation the records shall be submitted to the court by the attorney for the Commonwealth along with a proposed order requiring the records to be sealed. Upon entry of such order, the court shall seal the records in accordance with the requirements contained in subsection C.

2003, cc. 223, 541, 549; 2004, cc. 883, 996; 2010, cc. 702, 794.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-10.3. Reasonable suspicion required to stop, board, or inspect a noncommercial vessel on navigable waters of the Commonwealth.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no law-enforcement officer charged with enforcing laws or regulations on the navigable waters of the Commonwealth shall stop, board, or inspect any noncommercial vessel on the navigable waters of the Commonwealth unless such officer has reasonable suspicion that a violation of law or regulation exists.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to lawful stops, boardings, or inspections conducted by conservation police officers, as defined in § 29.1-100, or the Virginia Marine Police for the purposes of inspecting hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses pursuant to §§ 28.2-231 and 29.1-337 or creel and bag limit inspections pursuant to § 29.1-209, nor shall it prohibit lawful boating safety checkpoints conducted by conservation police officers and Virginia Marine Police in accordance with established agency policy.

2015, c. 484.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-10.4. Subpoena duces tecum; attorney-issued subpoena duces tecum.
In any criminal case a subpoena duces tecum may be issued by the attorney of record who is an active member of the Virginia State Bar at the time of issuance, as an officer of the court. Any such subpoena duces tecum shall be on a form approved by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, signed by the attorney of record as if a pleading, and shall include the attorney's address. A copy of the signed subpoena duces tecum, together with the attorney's certificate of service pursuant to Rule 1:12, shall be mailed or delivered to the adverse party and to the clerk's office of the court in which the case is pending on the day of issuance by the attorney. The law governing subpoenas duces tecum issued pursuant to Rule 3A:12(b) shall apply. A sheriff shall not be required to serve an attorney-issued subpoena duces tecum that is not issued at least five business days prior to the date production of evidence is desired. When an attorney transmits one or more subpoenas duces tecum to a sheriff to be served in his jurisdiction, the provisions in § 8.01-407 regarding such transmittals shall apply.

If the time for compliance with a subpoena duces tecum issued by an attorney is less than 14 days after service of the subpoena, the person to whom it is directed may serve upon the party issuing the subpoena a written objection setting forth any grounds upon which such production, inspection, or testing should not be required. If objection is made, the party on whose behalf the subpoena duces tecum was issued and served shall not be entitled to the requested production, inspection, or testing, except pursuant to an order of the court, but may, upon notice to the person to whom the subpoena was directed, move for an order to compel production, inspection, or testing. Upon such timely motion, the court may quash, modify, or sustain the subpoena duces tecum.

Subpoenas duces tecum for medical records issued by an attorney shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 8.01-413 and 32.1-127.1:03, except that no separate fee for issuance shall be imposed.

2020, c. 771.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-11. Procedure in contempt cases.
No court or judge shall impose a fine upon a juror, witness or other person for disobedience of its process or any contempt, unless he either be present in court at the time, or shall have been served with a rule, returnable to a certain time, requiring him to show cause why the fine should not be imposed and shall have failed to appear and show cause.

Code 1950, § 19.1-16; 1960, c. 366; 1968, c. 639; 1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-2. Effect of repeal of Title 19.1 and enactment of this title.
The repeal of Title 19.1 effective as of October 1, 1975, shall not affect any act or offense done or committed, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any right established, accrued, or accruing on or before such date, or any prosecution, suit or action pending on that day. Except as herein otherwise provided, neither the repeal of Title 19.1 nor the enactment of this title shall apply to offenses committed prior to October 1, 1975, and prosecutions for such offenses shall be governed by the prior law, which is continued in effect for that purpose. For the purposes of this section, an offense was committed prior to October 1, 1975, if any of the essential elements of the offense occurred prior thereto.

1975, c. 495.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-3. Certain notices, recognizances and processes validated.
Any notice given, recognizance taken, or process or writ issued before October 1, 1975, shall be valid although given, taken or to be returned to a day after such date, in like manner as if this title had been effective before the same was given, taken or issued.

1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-3.1. Personal appearance by two-way electronic video and audio communication; standards.
A. Where an appearance is required or permitted before a magistrate, intake officer, or, prior to trial, judge, the appearance may be by (i) personal appearance before the magistrate, intake officer, or judge or (ii) use of two-way electronic video and audio communication. With the consent of the court and all parties, an appearance in a court may be made by two-way electronic video and audio communication for the purpose of (a) entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and the related sentencing of the defendant charged with a misdemeanor or felony, (b) entry of a nolle prosequi or dismissal, (c) a revocation proceeding pursuant to § 19.2-306, or (d) waiver of a preliminary hearing.

If two-way electronic video and audio communication is used, a magistrate, intake officer, or judge may exercise all powers conferred by law and all communications and proceedings shall be conducted in the same manner as if the appearance were in person. If two-way electronic video and audio communication is available for use by a district court for the conduct of a hearing to determine bail or to determine representation by counsel, the court shall use such communication in any such proceeding that would otherwise require the transportation of a person from outside the jurisdiction of the court in order to appear in person before the court. Any documents transmitted between the magistrate, intake officer, or judge and the person appearing before the magistrate, intake officer, or judge may be transmitted by electronically transmitted facsimile process or other electronic method. The facsimile or other electronically generated document may be served or executed by the officer or person to whom sent, and returned in the same manner, and with the same force, effect, authority, and liability as an original document. All signatures thereon shall be treated as original signatures.

B. Any two-way electronic video and audio communication system used for an appearance shall meet the following standards:

1. The persons communicating must simultaneously see and speak to one another;

2. The signal transmission must be live, real time;

3. The signal transmission must be secure from interception through lawful means by anyone other than the persons communicating; and

4. Any other specifications as may be promulgated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a locality to purchase a two-way electronic video and audio communication system. Any decision to purchase such a system is at the discretion of the locality.

1991, c. 41; 1996, cc. 755, 914; 2006, c. 285; 2009, cc. 94, 623; 2010, c. 800; 2017, c. 669; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 86; 2023, c. 468.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-4. References to former sections, articles or chapters of Titles 18.1 and 19.1.
Whenever in this title any of the conditions, requirements, provisions or contents of any section, article or chapter of Titles 18.1 and 19.1, as such titles existed prior to October 1, 1975, are transferred in the same or in modified form to a new section, article or chapter of this title or of Title 18.2, and whenever any such former section, article or chapter is given a new number in this title or in Title 18.2, all references to any such former section, article or chapter of Title 19.1 or of Title 18.1 appearing elsewhere in this Code than in this title or in Title 18.2, shall be construed to apply to the new or renumbered section, article or chapter containing such conditions, requirements, provisions or contents or portions thereof.

1975, c. 495.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-5. Meaning of certain terms.
As used in this title, unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context in which it appears:

"Court" means any court vested with appropriate jurisdiction under the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth.

"Court not of record" and "district court" shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Chapter 4.1 (§ 16.1-69.1 et seq.) of Title 16.1.

"Judge" means any judge, associate judge or substitute judge of any court or any magistrate.

Code 1950, § 19.1-5; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2005, c. 839; 2008, cc. 551, 691.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-6. Appointive power of circuit courts.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, whenever an appointive power is given to the judge of a circuit court, that power shall be exercised by a majority of the judges of the circuit. In case of a tie, such fact shall be communicated to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who shall appoint a circuit judge from another circuit who shall act as a tie breaker. Where the power of appointment is to be exercised by a majority of the judges of the Second Judicial Circuit and such appointment is to a local post, board or commission in Accomack or Northampton County, the resident judge or judges of the County of Accomack or Northampton shall exercise such appointment power as if he or they comprise the majority of the judges of the Circuit.

1975, c. 495; 1977, c. 288; 1994, c. 407.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-7. Rewards for arrest of persons convicted of or charged with offenses; rewards for conviction of unknown offenders.
The Governor may offer a reward for apprehending and securing any person convicted of an offense or charged therewith, who shall have escaped from lawful custody or confinement, or for apprehending and securing any person charged with an offense, who, there is reason to fear, cannot be arrested in the common course of proceeding. The Governor may also offer a reward for the detection and conviction of the person guilty of an offense when such offense has been committed but the person guilty thereof is unknown.

Any sheriff, deputy sheriff, sergeant, deputy sergeant or any other officer may claim and receive any reward which may be offered for the arrest and detention of any offender against the criminal laws of this or any other state or nation.

Code 1950, §§ 19.1-6, 19.1-6.1; 1960, c. 366; 1962, c. 513; 1964, c. 171; 1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-8.1. Prosecution for murder or manslaughter; passage of time not a limitation.
A prosecution for murder or manslaughter, whether at common law or under the Code of Virginia, may be instituted regardless of the time elapsed between the act or omission causing the death of the victim and the death of the victim.

2009, c. 278.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-9. Prosecution of certain criminal cases removed from state to federal courts; costs.
When any person indicted in the courts of this Commonwealth for a violation of its laws, has his case removed to the district court of the United States under 28 U.S.C. § 1442, it shall be the duty of the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which any such indictment is found to prosecute any such case in the United States district court to which the same shall be so removed, and for his services in this behalf he shall be paid a fee of $100 for each case tried by him in such United States district court, and mileage at the rate now allowed by law to the members of the General Assembly for all necessary travel in going to and returning from such court, to be paid on his account when approved by the Attorney General.

A per diem of one dollar and fifty cents for each day of actual attendance upon such United States district court and mileage at a rate as provided by law for every mile of necessary travel in going to and returning from such court shall be paid out of the state treasury to each witness for the Commonwealth in every such case upon accounts therefor against the Commonwealth, certified by the attorney for the Commonwealth prosecuting such case and approved by the Attorney General.

It shall not be the duty of the Attorney General to appear for the Commonwealth in such cases unless he can do so without interfering with the efficient discharge of the duties imposed upon him by law; but he may appear with the attorney for the Commonwealth prosecuting such case in any case when the interests of the Commonwealth may in his judgment require his presence.

The Comptroller shall from time to time draw his warrants upon the state treasury in favor of the parties entitled to be paid the above compensation and expenses, or their assigns, upon bills certified and approved as above prescribed.

Code 1950, § 19.1-14; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 19.2-9.1. Written notice required for complaining witness who is requested to take polygraph test.
A. For offenses not specified in subsection B, if a complaining witness is requested to submit to a polygraph examination during the course of a criminal investigation, such witness shall be informed in writing prior to the examination that (i) the examination is voluntary, (ii) the results thereof are inadmissible as evidence and (iii) the agreement of the complaining witness to submit thereto shall not be the sole condition for initiating or continuing the criminal investigation.

B. No law-enforcement officer, attorney for the Commonwealth, or other government official shall ask or require a victim of an alleged sex offense to submit to a polygraph examination or other truth-telling device as a condition for proceeding with the investigation of such an offense. If a victim is requested to submit to a polygraph examination during the course of a criminal investigation, such victim shall be informed in writing of the provisions of subsection A and that the refusal of a victim to submit to such an examination shall not prevent the investigation, charging, or prosecution of the offense.

C. A "sex offense," for the purposes of this section, shall mean any offense set forth in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2.

1994, c. 336; 2008, cc. 512, 748.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.1 (Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act)
§ 19.2-11.02. Prohibiting inquiry into the immigration status of certain victims or witnesses of crime.
A. No law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall, in connection with the report, investigation, or prosecution of a criminal violation of state or local law, inquire into the immigration status of any person who (i) reports that he is a victim of the crime or is the parent or guardian of a minor victim of the crime or (ii) is a witness in the investigation of the crime or the parent or guardian of a minor witness to the crime.

B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into the immigration status of the parent or guardian of a minor victim if such parent or guardian has been arrested for, has been charged with, or is being investigated for a crime against the minor victim.

C. Nothing in this section shall affect the enforcement or implementation of § 18.2-59, subdivision 10 of § 18.2-308.09, or subdivision B 1 of § 18.2-308.2:2, or prohibit a law-enforcement officer from inquiring into a person's immigration status to enforce or implement such sections.

2020, c. 273.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.1 (Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act)
§ 19.2-11.1. Establishment of crime victim-witness assistance programs; funding; minimum standards.
Any local governmental body which establishes, operates and maintains a crime victim and witness assistance program, whose funding is provided in whole or part by grants administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services pursuant to § 9.1-104, shall operate the program in accordance with guidelines which shall be established by the Department to implement the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws establishing victims' rights.

1988, c. 542; 1994, cc. 361, 598; 1995, c. 687; 1996, c. 545.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.1 (Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act)
§ 19.2-11.2. Crime victim's right to nondisclosure of certain information; exceptions; testimonial privilege.
Upon request of any witness in a criminal prosecution under § 18.2-46.2, 18.2-46.3, or 18.2-248 or of any violent felony as defined by subsection C of § 17.1-805, or any crime victim, neither a law-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, the counsel for a defendant, a court nor the Department of Corrections, nor any employee of any of them, may disclose, except among themselves, the residential address, any telephone number, email address, or place of employment of the witness or victim or a member of the witness' or victim's family, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) of the site of the crime, (ii) required by law or Rules of the Supreme Court, (iii) necessary for law-enforcement purposes or preparation for court proceedings, or (iv) permitted by the court for good cause.

Except with the written consent of the victim of any crime involving any sexual assault, sexual abuse, or family abuse or the victim's next of kin if the victim is a minor and the victim's death results from any crime, a law-enforcement agency may not disclose to the public information that directly or indirectly identifies the victim of such crime except to the extent that disclosure is (a) of the site of the crime, (b) required by law, (c) necessary for law-enforcement purposes, or (d) permitted by the court for good cause. In addition, at the request of the victim to the Court of Appeals of Virginia or the Supreme Court of Virginia hearing, on or after July 1, 2007, the case of a crime involving any sexual assault or sexual abuse, no appellate decision shall contain the first or last name of the victim.

Nothing herein shall limit the right to examine witnesses in a court of law or otherwise affect the conduct of any criminal proceeding.

1994, cc. 845, 931; 2002, cc. 810, 818; 2005, cc. 764, 813; 2007, c. 503; 2014, c. 744; 2017, c. 500; 2018, cc. 47, 83.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.1 (Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act)
§ 19.2-11.3. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund.
There is hereby established the Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund as a special nonreverting fund to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to support victim and witness services that meet the minimum standards prescribed for such programs under § 19.2-11.1. A portion of the sum collected pursuant to §§ 16.1-69.48:1, 17.1-275.1, 17.1-275.2, 17.1-275.3, 17.1-275.4, 17.1-275.7, 17.1-275.8, and 17.1-275.9, as specified in these sections, shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of this Fund. The Fund shall be distributed according to grant procedures adopted pursuant to § 9.1-104 and shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Any funds remaining in such Fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.

1995, c. 371; 2002, c. 831.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.1 (Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act)
§ 19.2-11.4. Establishment of victim-offender reconciliation program.
A. Any Crime Victim and Witness Assistance Program may establish a victim-offender reconciliation program to provide an opportunity after conviction for a victim, at his request and upon the subsequent agreement of the offender, to:

1. Meet with the offender in a safe, controlled environment in accordance with the policies established pursuant to subsection B of § 53.1-30;

2. Give to the offender, either orally or in writing, a summary of the financial, emotional, and physical effects of the offense on the victim or the victim's family; and

3. Discuss a proposed restitution agreement which may be submitted for consideration by the sentencing court for damages incurred by the victim as a result of the offense.

B. If the victim chooses to participate in a victim-offender reconciliation program under this section, the victim shall execute a waiver releasing the Crime Victim and Witness Assistance Program, attorney for the offender and the attorney for the Commonwealth from civil and criminal liability for actions taken by the victim or offender as a result of participation by the victim or the offender in a victim-offender reconciliation program.

C. A victim shall not be required to participate in a victim-offender reconciliation program under this section.

D. The failure of any person to participate in a reconciliation program pursuant to this section shall not be used directly or indirectly at sentencing.

1995, c. 628; 2010, c. 844.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.10. Expungement of DNA profile.
If the Department receives written confirmation from a law-enforcement agency or attorney for the Commonwealth that a DNA profile that has been uploaded pursuant to this chapter into any local, state, or national DNA data bank was determined not to be connected to a criminal offense or that the DNA profile is of an individual who is not the putative perpetrator, the Department shall expunge the DNA profile from the DNA data bank.

The detention, arrest, or conviction of a person based upon a data bank match or data bank information is not invalidated if it is determined that the sample was obtained, placed, or retained in the data bank in good faith pursuant to this chapter, and evidence based upon or derived from the DNA record shall not be excluded by a court.

2016, cc. 332, 698.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.12. Costs of physical evidence recovery kits and trace evidence collection kits.
No victim of sexual assault or strangulation shall be charged for the cost of collecting or storing a physical evidence recovery kit, an anonymous physical evidence recovery kit, a trace evidence collection kit, or an anonymous trace evidence collection kit.

2017, c. 535; 2023, c. 312.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.13. Physical Evidence Recovery Kit Tracking System.
A. The Department shall maintain a statewide electronic tracking system for physical evidence recovery kits. The Physical Evidence Recovery Kit Tracking System (the System) will utilize an assigned unique identification number to track each physical evidence recovery kit from its distribution as an uncollected kit to the health care provider through to its destruction. The Department shall ensure that each physical evidence recovery kit is assigned a unique identification number.

B. The Department shall provide access to the System to health care providers, law-enforcement agencies, the Division, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. All such entities and agencies shall be required to enter the identification number and other information pertaining to the kits in the System as required by the Department and to update the status and location of each kit in the System whenever such status or location changes.

C. The health care provider shall inform the victim of sexual assault of the unique identification number assigned to the physical evidence recovery kit utilized by the health care provider during the forensic medical examination and provide the victim with information regarding the System.

D. Records entered into the System are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

2019, c. 473.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.6. Anonymous physical evidence recovery kits and anonymous trace evidence collection kits.
A. When a victim of sexual assault or strangulation who undergoes a forensic medical examination elects not to report the offense to law enforcement, the health care provider shall inform the victim that the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit shall be forwarded to the Division for storage as an anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit. The health care provider shall further inform the victim of the length of time the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit will be stored by the Division, the victim's right to object to the destruction of the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit, and how the victim can have the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit released to a law-enforcement agency at a later date. The health care provider shall forward the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit to the Division in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Division.

B. The Division shall store any anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit received for a minimum of two years. The Division shall store the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit for an additional period of 10 years following the receipt of a written objection to the destruction of the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit from the victim. After the initial two years or any additional 10-year storage period, the Division, in the absence of the receipt of a written objection from the victim in the most recent 10-year period, may destroy the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit or, in its discretion or upon request of the victim or the law-enforcement agency, may elect to retain the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit for a longer period of time. Upon notification from either the law-enforcement agency or the attorney for the Commonwealth that the victim has elected to report the offense to the law-enforcement agency, the Division shall release the anonymous physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit to the law-enforcement agency.

2016, cc. 332, 698; 2017, c. 535; 2023, c. 312.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.6:1. Telehealth sexual assault forensic examinations; admissibility of physical evidence recovery kit.
A. A health care provider may conduct a telehealth sexual assault forensic examination for a victim of sexual assault if a sexual assault forensic examiner is not readily available to conduct an in-person forensic medical examination for the collection of a physical evidence recovery kit.

B. A physical evidence recovery kit collected during a telehealth sexual assault forensic examination shall not be determined to be inadmissible solely because the physical evidence recovery kit was collected during a telehealth sexual assault forensic examination and not directly by a sexual assault forensic examiner, provided that such physical evidence recovery kit is otherwise admissible pursuant to the general rules of evidence.

2025, cc. 529, 538.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.7. Law enforcement taking possession of physical evidence recovery kits and trace evidence collection kits.
A. A health care provider that has collected a physical evidence recovery kit from a victim of sexual assault or a trace evidence collection kit from a victim of strangulation who has elected to report the offense shall forthwith notify the law-enforcement agency that such kit has been collected.

B. A law-enforcement agency that receives notice from a health care provider that a physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit has been collected shall forthwith take possession of the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit.

2016, cc. 332, 698; 2023, c. 312.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.2 (Physical Evidence Recovery Kits and Trace Evidence Collection Kits)
§ 19.2-11.9. Lack of compliance with procedures.
The failure of a law-enforcement agency to take possession of a physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit as provided in this chapter or to submit a physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit to the Department within the time period prescribed under this chapter does not alter the authority of the law-enforcement agency to take possession of the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit or to submit the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit to the Department under this chapter or the authority of the Department to accept and analyze the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit or to maintain or upload any developed DNA profiles from the physical evidence recovery kit or trace evidence collection kit into any local, state, or national DNA data bank if eligible as determined by Department procedures and in accordance with state and federal law.

A person accused or convicted of committing a crime against a sexual assault victim or strangulation victim has no standing to object to any failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter, and the failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter is not grounds for challenging the admissibility of the evidence or setting aside the conviction or sentence.

2016, cc. 332, 698; 2023, c. 312.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 1.3 (Artificial Intelligence-Based Tools)
§ 19.2-11.14. Use of artificial intelligence-based tool.
A. As used in this section, "artificial intelligence-based tool" means any machine-based system or algorithm, including machine learning models, predictive analytics, and decision support systems, that analyze data and generate recommendations or predictions.

B. All decisions related to the pre-trial detention or release, prosecution, adjudication, sentencing, probation, parole, correctional supervision, or rehabilitation of criminal offenders shall be made by the judicial officer or other person charged with making such decision. No such decision shall be made without the involvement of a human decision-maker. The use of any recommendation or prediction from an artificial intelligence-based tool shall be subject to any challenge or objection permitted by law.

2025, c. 637.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-153. When judge cannot sit on trial; how another judge procured to try the case.
When the judge of a circuit court in which a prosecution is pending is connected with the accused or party injured, or is so situated in respect to the case as in his opinion to render it improper that he should preside at the trial, or if he has rejected a plea bargain agreement submitted by both parties and the parties do not agree that he may hear the case, he shall enter the fact of record and the clerk of the court shall at once certify this fact to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and thereupon another judge shall be appointed, in the manner prescribed by § 17.1-105, to preside at the trial.

Code 1950, § 19.1-7; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1984, c. 585; 1985, c. 253.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-154. Death or disability of judge during trial; how another judge procured to continue with trial.
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.

1975, c. 495.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-156. Prolonged absence of attorney for Commonwealth.
If it shall be necessary for the attorney for the Commonwealth of any county or city to absent himself for a prolonged period of time from the performance of the duties of his office, then, upon notification by such attorney for the Commonwealth, or by the court on its own motion, and the facts being entered of record, the judge of the circuit court shall appoint an attorney-at-law as acting attorney for the Commonwealth to serve for such length of time as may be necessary. Such acting attorney for the Commonwealth shall act in place of and otherwise perform the duties and exercise the powers of such regular attorney for the Commonwealth, and while so acting shall receive the salary and allowance for expenses fixed by the State Compensation Board for such regular attorney for the Commonwealth, who during such length of time shall not receive any such salary or allowance.

Code 1950, § 19.1-11; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.

Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-157. Duty of court when accused appears without counsel.
Except as may otherwise be provided in §§ 16.1-266 through 16.1-268, whenever a person charged with a criminal offense the penalty for which may be confinement in the state correctional facility or jail, including charges for revocation of suspension of imposition or execution of sentence or probation, appears before any court without being represented by counsel, the court shall inform him of his right to counsel. The accused shall be allowed a reasonable opportunity to employ counsel or, if appropriate, the statement of indigence provided for in § 19.2-159 may be executed.

Code 1950, §§ 19.1-241.1, 19.1-241.7; 1964, c. 657; 1966, c. 460; 1973, c. 316; 1975, c. 495; 1978, c. 362; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 344, 345.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-158. When person not free on bail shall be informed of right to counsel and amount of bail.
Every person charged with an offense described in § 19.2-157, who is not free on bail or otherwise, shall be brought before the judge of a court not of record, unless the circuit court issues process commanding the presence of the person, in which case the person shall be brought before the circuit court, on the first day on which such court sits after the person is charged, at which time the judge shall inform the accused of the amount of his bail and his right to counsel. If the court not of record sits on a day prior to the scheduled sitting of the court which issued process, the person shall be brought before the court not of record. The court shall also hear and consider motions by the person or Commonwealth relating to bail or conditions of release pursuant to Article 1 (§ 19.2-119 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of this title. Absent good cause shown, a hearing on bail or conditions of release shall be held as soon as practicable but in no event later than three calendar days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, following the making of such motion.

No hearing on the charges against the accused shall be had until the foregoing conditions have been complied with, and the accused shall be allowed a reasonable opportunity to employ counsel of his own choice, or, if appropriate, the statement of indigence provided for in § 19.2-159 may be executed.

Code 1950, §§ 19.1-241.2, 19.1-241.8; 1964, c. 657; 1966, c. 460; 1973, c. 316; 1975, c. 495; 1998, c. 773; 1999, cc. 829, 846; 2014, c. 515.
Code of Virginia — Title 19.2 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 10 (Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts)
§ 19.2-159.1. Interrogation by court; filing; change in circumstances; investigation by attorney for Commonwealth.
A. The court shall thoroughly interrogate any person making the statement of indigency required in § 19.2-159 and shall further advise such person of the penalty which might result from false swearing, as provided in § 19.2-161.

B. The statement and oath of the defendant shall be filed with the papers in the case, and shall follow and be in effect at all stages of the proceedings against him without further oath. In the event the defendant undergoes a change of circumstances so that he is no longer indigent, the defendant shall thereupon obtain private counsel and shall forthwith advise the court of the change of circumstances. The court shall grant reasonable continuance to allow counsel to be obtained and to prepare for trial. When private counsel has been retained, appointed counsel shall forthwith be relieved of further responsibility and compensated for his services, pro rata, pursuant to § 19.2-163.

C. Upon the request of the court, it shall be the duty of the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such statement and oath was made to make an investigation as to the indigency of the defendant, or of any other person making such statement. The attorney for the Commonwealth is authorized to delegate the responsibility for such investigation to any subordinate in his office, or to any agency, state or local, which possesses the facilities to quickly make such investigation. Such investigation shall be reduced to writing and forwarded to the court in which the statement and oath was made within fourteen days after such request by the court is made. Such report shall be placed with the papers in the case.

Code 1950, § 19.1-241.3:1; 1975, c. 580; 1977, c. 6; 1981, c. 289; 1984, c. 709.