Preliminary Hearing

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 Chapter 12 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Preliminary Hearing.” It is part of Title 19.2 “Criminal Procedure”. It contains 19 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 19 sections.

§ 19.2-183	Examination of witnesses; assistance of counsel; evidentiary matters and remedies; power to adjourn case
§ 19.2-183.1	Joint preliminary hearings
§ 19.2-184	Witnesses may be separated (Subsection (a) of Supreme Court Rule 2:615 derived in part from this section)
§ 19.2-185	Testimony may be reduced to writing and subscribed
§ 19.2-186	When accused to be discharged, tried, committed or bailed by judge
§ 19.2-187	Admission into evidence of certain certificates of analysis
§ 19.2-187.01	Certificate of analysis as evidence of chain of custody of material described therein
§ 19.2-187.02	Admissibility of written reports or records of blood alcohol tests conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment
§ 19.2-187.1	Procedures for notifying accused of certificate of analysis; waiver; continuances
§ 19.2-187.2	Procedure for subpoena duces tecum of analysis evidence
§ 19.2-188	Reports by Chief Medical Examiner received as evidence
§ 19.2-188.1	Testimony regarding identification of controlled substances
§ 19.2-188.2	Certificate of surgeon as evidence
§ 19.2-188.3	Admissibility of affidavits by government officials regarding a search of government records (Subdivision (10)(b) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from this section)
§ 19.2-188.4	Two-way video testimony related to certain forensic medical examinations
§ 19.2-189	Commitment of accused for further examination
§ 19.2-190	To whom, and when, examination and recognizance to be certified
§ 19.2-190.1	Certification of ancillary misdemeanor offenses
§ 19.2-190.2	Withdrawal of privately retained counsel