{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/19.2-161.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/19.2-161.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/19.2-161.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/19.2-161.html"}],"law_id":351323,"edition_id":2,"section_id":351323,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-161","catch_line":"Penalty for false swearing with regard to statement of indigence","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 19.1-241.6, 19.1-241.12; 1964, c. 657; 1973, c. 316; 1975, c. 495.","full_text":"Any person charged with a felony who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7 19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false, shall be guilty of perjury, punishable as a Class 5 felony.\n\nAny person charged with a misdemeanor punishable by confinement in jail who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7 19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1308259,"text":"Any person charged with a felony who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7 19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false, shall be guilty of perjury, punishable as a Class 5 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1308260,"text":"Any person charged with a misdemeanor punishable by confinement in jail who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7 19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50246,"edition_id":2,"name":"Appointment of Attorney for Accused","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50243,"metadata":{"child_laws":9,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:25:19","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:38","permalink":{"id":1395343,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50246,"identifier":"3","token":"19.2\/10\/3","url":"\/19.2\/10\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50243,"edition_id":2,"name":"Disability of Judge or Attorney for Commonwealth; Court- Appointed Counsel; Interpreters; Transcripts","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":13,"parent_id":50226,"metadata":{"child_laws":30,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:25:19","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:38","permalink":{"id":1395321,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50243,"identifier":"10","token":"19.2\/10","url":"\/19.2\/10\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50226,"edition_id":2,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":54,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":771,"child_structures":99},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:25:04","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:30","permalink":{"id":1395171,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50226,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":351316,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-157","catch_line":"Duty of court when accused appears without counsel","url":"\/19.2-157\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-157","metadata":false},{"id":351317,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-158","catch_line":"When person not free on bail shall be informed of right to counsel and amount of bail","url":"\/19.2-158\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-158","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Stevens v. Commonwealth","case_number":"110402","citation":null,"date":"2012-01-13","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1057937\/stevens-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: Kinser, C.J., Lemons, Goodwyn, Millette, and Mims, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Graves v. Commonwealth","case_number":"No. 0713-89-1","citation":"12 Va. App. 53","date":"1991-03-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6932294\/graves-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Opinion .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Allen v. Burke","case_number":"81-1781","citation":"690 F.2d 376","date":"1982-09-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/409428\/allen-v-burke\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 690 F.2d 376 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"3":{"name":"Stevens v. Commonwealth","case_number":"0266093","citation":"704 S.E.2d 585","date":"2011-02-01","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062012\/stevens-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. UPON REHEARING EN BANC .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Allen v. Burke","case_number":"No. 81-1781","citation":"690 F.2d 376","date":"1982-09-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8926210\/allen-v-burke\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. ERVIN, Circuit Judge: .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":351319,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-159","catch_line":"Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel","url":"\/19.2-159\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-159","metadata":false},{"id":351318,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-159.1","catch_line":"Interrogation by court; filing; change in circumstances; investigation by attorney for Commonwealth","url":"\/19.2-159.1\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-159.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Reyes v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 180191","citation":"823 S.E.2d 243","date":"2019-02-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4592351\/reyes-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE WILLIAM C. MIMS .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Miguel Antonio Reyes v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"2108164","citation":"808 S.E.2d 838","date":"2018-01-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4457916\/miguel-antonio-reyes-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Johnson v. Commonwealth","case_number":"3143061","citation":"657 S.E.2d 812","date":"2008-03-11","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062838\/johnson-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. HALEY, J., .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"London v. Commonwealth","case_number":"1224053","citation":"638 S.E.2d 721","date":"2006-12-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1063119\/london-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 638 S.E.2d 721 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Brown v. Commonwealth","case_number":"131038","citation":null,"date":"2014-10-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2747288\/brown-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Haugen v. SHENANDOAH VALLEY SOCIAL SERVICES","case_number":"Record 060869.","citation":"645 S.E.2d 261","date":"2007-06-08","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058642\/haugen-v-shenandoah-valley-social-services\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 645 S.E.2d 261 (2007) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Cobbins v. Commonwealth","case_number":"1771072","citation":"668 S.E.2d 816","date":"2008-12-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062617\/cobbins-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 668 S.E.2d 816 (2008) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Romario Bailey v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"0182202","citation":null,"date":"2021-06-15","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4891873\/romario-bailey-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"Bolden v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record No. 0660-88-4","citation":"397 S.E.2d 534","date":"1990-10-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1262418\/bolden-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Benton, J., .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351322,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-160","catch_line":"Appointment of counsel or waiver of right","url":"\/19.2-160\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-160","metadata":false},{"id":351321,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-160.1","catch_line":"Appointment of counsel in Class 1 felony cases or cases involving a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life","url":"\/19.2-160.1\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":351323,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-161","catch_line":"Penalty for false swearing with regard to statement of indigence","url":"\/19.2-161\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-161","metadata":false},{"id":351324,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-162","catch_line":"Continuances to be granted if necessary","url":"\/19.2-162\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-162","metadata":false},{"id":351337,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-163","catch_line":"Compensation of court-appointed counsel","url":"\/19.2-163\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-163","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":351321,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-160.1","catch_line":"Appointment of counsel in Class 1 felony cases or cases involving a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life","url":"\/19.2-160.1\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-160.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":351324,"structure_id":50246,"section_number":"19.2-162","catch_line":"Continuances to be granted if necessary","url":"\/19.2-162\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-162","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-161\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1964, chapter 657; in 1973, chapter 316; in 1975, chapter 495.<\/p>","references":[{"id":351318,"section_number":"19.2-159.1","catch_line":"Interrogation by court; filing; change in circumstances; investigation by attorney for Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-159.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":351319,"section_number":"19.2-159","catch_line":"Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-159\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1395369,"object_type":"law","relational_id":351323,"identifier":"19.2-161","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-161","url":"\/19.2-161\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-161\/","token":"19.2\/10\/3\/19.2-161","dublin_core":{"Title":"Penalty for false swearing with regard to statement of indigence","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-161","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any person charged with a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel\" href=\"\/19.2-159\/\">19.2-159<\/a> knowing such statement to be false, shall be guilty of <span class=\"dictionary\">perjury<\/span>, punishable as a Class 5 <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>.<\/p><p>Any person charged with a <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span> punishable by confinement in jail who shall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel\" href=\"\/19.2-159\/\">19.2-159<\/a> knowing such statement to be false shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPENALTY FOR FALSE SWEARING WITH REGARD TO STATEMENT OF INDIGENCE (\u00a7 19.2-161)\n\nAny person charged with a felony who shall falsely swear or who shall execute\nthe statement provided for in \u00a7 19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false,\nshall be guilty of perjury, punishable as a Class 5 felony.\n\nAny person charged with a misdemeanor punishable by confinement in jail who\nshall falsely swear or who shall execute the statement provided for in \u00a7\n19.2-159 knowing such statement to be false shall be guilty of a Class 1\nmisdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 19.1-241.6, 19.1-241.12; 1964, c. 657; 1973, c. 316;\n1975, c. 495.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}