Criminal Procedure

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Criminal Procedure.” It contains 771 laws divided across 99 structures.

Chapter 1	General Provisions
Chapter 1.1	Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act
Chapter 1.2	Physical Evidence Recovery Kits
Chapter 3	Magistrates
Chapter 1.3	Artificial Intelligence-Based Tools
Chapter 4	Special Magistrates [Repealed]
Chapter 2	Conservators of the Peace and Special Policemen
Chapter 5	Search Warrants
Chapter 6	Interception of Wire, Electronic or Oral Communications
Chapter 7	Arrest
Chapter 9	Bail and Recognizances
Chapter 7.1	Law-Enforcement Officer Conduct During an Arrest or Detention
Chapter 8	Extradition of Criminals
Chapter 10	Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts
Chapter 11	Proceedings on Question of Insanity
Chapter 9.1	Protective Orders
Chapter 11.1	Disposition of Persons Acquitted by Reason of Insanity
Chapter 9.2	Substantial Risk Orders
Chapter 12	Preliminary Hearing
Chapter 13	Grand Juries
Chapter 14	Presentments, Indictments and Informations
Chapter 15	Trial and Its Incidents
Chapter 16	Evidence and Witnesses
Chapter 17	Convictions; Effect Thereof
Chapter 19	Exceptions and Writs of Error
Chapter 18	Sentence; Judgment; Execution of Sentence
Chapter 20	Taxation and Allowance of Costs
Chapter 21	Recovery of Fines and Penalties
Chapter 19.1	Scientific Analysis of Newly Discovered or Untested Scientific Evidence
Chapter 21.1	Compensating Victims of Crime
Chapter 19.2	Issuance of Writ of Actual Innocence
Chapter 21.2	Profits From Crime
Chapter 19.3	Issuance of Writ of Actual Innocence Based on Nonbiological Evidence
Chapter 22	Enforcement of Forfeitures [Repealed]
Chapter 19.4	Issuance of Writ of Vacatur for Victims of Human Trafficking
Chapter 22.2	Miscellaneous Forfeiture Provisions
Chapter 23	Central Criminal Records Exchange
Chapter 24	Inspection Warrants
Chapter 25	Appeals by the Commonwealth
Chapter 22.1	Enforcement of Forfeitures
Chapter 23.1	Expungement of Criminal Records
Chapter 23.2	Sealing of Criminal History Record Information and Court Records