CODE OF VIRGINIA

AUTHORITY OF LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ISSUE SUMMONS TO WITNESS; FAILURE TO
APPEAR (§ 19.2-267.1)

A summons may be issued by a law-enforcement officer during the course of his
immediate investigation of an alleged misdemeanor for which an arrest warrant is
not required pursuant to § 19.2-81 to any person he reasonably believes was a
witness to the offense. The summons shall command the person to appear and
testify at the trial of any criminal charge brought against any person as the
result of the offense.A summons issued pursuant to this section shall have the
same force as if issued by the court. The failure of any person so summoned to
appear after receiving written notice of the date, time and place of the trial
at least five days prior to the trial shall be punishable as contempt of the
court in accordance with § 18.2-456 (5).

HISTORY: 1983, c. 224.