{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/19.2-226.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/19.2-226.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/19.2-226.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/19.2-226.html"}],"law_id":351460,"edition_id":2,"section_id":351460,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-226","catch_line":"What defects in indictments not to vitiate them","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-172; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2003, c. 148.","full_text":"No indictment or other accusation shall be quashed or deemed invalid:\n\n1\n\nFor omitting to set forth that it is upon the oaths of the jurors or upon their oaths and affirmations;\n\n2\n\nFor the insertion of the words “upon their oath,” instead of “upon their oaths”;\n\n3\n\nFor not in terms alleging that the offense was committed “within the jurisdiction of the court” when the averments show that the case is one of which the court has jurisdiction;\n\n4\n\nFor the omission or misstatement of the title, occupation, estate, or degree of the accused or of the name or place of his residence;\n\n5\n\nFor omitting the words “with force and arms” or the statement of any particular kind of force and arms;\n\n6\n\nFor omitting to state, or stating imperfectly, the time at which the offense was committed when time is not the essence of the offense;\n\n7\n\nFor failing to allege the kind or value of an instrument which caused death or to allege that it was of no value;\n\n8\n\nFor omitting to charge the offense to be “against the form of the statute or statutes”;\n\n9\n\nFor the omission or insertion of any other words of mere form or surplusage; or\n\n10\n\nFor omitting or stating incorrectly the Virginia crime code references for the particular offense or offenses covered.\n\t\t\tNor shall it be abated for any misnomer of the accused; but the court may, in case of a misnomer appearing before or in the course of a trial, forthwith cause the indictment or accusation to be amended according to the fact.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1308599,"text":"No indictment or other accusation shall be quashed or deemed invalid:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1308600,"text":"For omitting to set forth that it is upon the oaths of the jurors or upon their oaths and affirmations;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1308601,"text":"For the insertion of the words “upon their oath,” instead of “upon their oaths”;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1308602,"text":"For not in terms alleging that the offense was committed “within the jurisdiction of the court” when the averments show that the case is one of which the court has jurisdiction;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1308603,"text":"For the omission or misstatement of the title, occupation, estate, or degree of the accused or of the name or place of his residence;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1308604,"text":"For omitting the words “with force and arms” or the statement of any particular kind of force and arms;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1308605,"text":"For omitting to state, or stating imperfectly, the time at which the offense was committed when time is not the essence of the offense;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":1308606,"text":"For failing to allege the kind or value of an instrument which caused death or to allege that it was of no value;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":1308607,"text":"For omitting to charge the offense to be “against the form of the statute or statutes”;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":1308608,"text":"For the omission or insertion of any other words of mere form or surplusage; or","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":1308609,"text":"For omitting or stating incorrectly the Virginia crime code references for the particular offense or offenses covered.\n\t\t\tNor shall it be abated for any misnomer of the accused; but the court may, in case of a misnomer appearing before or in the course of a trial, forthwith cause the indictment or accusation to be amended according to the fact.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50263,"edition_id":2,"name":"Form and Requisites","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50261,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:25:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:43","permalink":{"id":1395895,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50263,"identifier":"2","token":"19.2\/14\/2","url":"\/19.2\/14\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50261,"edition_id":2,"name":"Presentments, Indictments and Informations","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":18,"parent_id":50226,"metadata":{"child_laws":26,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:25:36","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:42","permalink":{"id":1395863,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50261,"identifier":"14","token":"19.2\/14","url":"\/19.2\/14\/","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":351454,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-220","catch_line":"Contents of indictment in general","url":"\/19.2-220\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-220","metadata":false},{"id":351455,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-221","catch_line":"Form of prosecutions generally; murder and manslaughter","url":"\/19.2-221\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-221","metadata":false},{"id":351456,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-222","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-222\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-222","metadata":false},{"id":351457,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-223","catch_line":"Charging several acts of embezzlement; description of money","url":"\/19.2-223\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-223","metadata":false},{"id":351458,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-224","catch_line":"In prosecution for forgery, unnecessary to set forth copy of forged instrument","url":"\/19.2-224\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-224","metadata":false},{"id":351459,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-225","catch_line":"Allegation of intent","url":"\/19.2-225\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-225","metadata":false},{"id":351460,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-226","catch_line":"What defects in indictments not to vitiate them","url":"\/19.2-226\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-226","metadata":false},{"id":351461,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-227","catch_line":"When judgment not to be arrested or reversed","url":"\/19.2-227\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-227","metadata":false},{"id":351462,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-228","catch_line":"Name and address of complaining witness to be written on indictment, etc., for misdemeanor","url":"\/19.2-228\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-228","metadata":false},{"id":351463,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-229","catch_line":"When complaining witness required to give security for costs","url":"\/19.2-229\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-229","metadata":false},{"id":351465,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-230","catch_line":"Bill of particulars","url":"\/19.2-230\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-230","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":351459,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-225","catch_line":"Allegation of intent","url":"\/19.2-225\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-225","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":351461,"structure_id":50263,"section_number":"19.2-227","catch_line":"When judgment not to be arrested or reversed","url":"\/19.2-227\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-227","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-226\/","history_text":"

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 1960, chapter 366; in 1975, chapter 495; in 2003, chapter 148<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1395921,"object_type":"law","relational_id":351460,"identifier":"19.2-226","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-226","url":"\/19.2-226\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-226\/","token":"19.2\/14\/2\/19.2-226","dublin_core":{"Title":"What defects in indictments not to vitiate them","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-226","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

No indictment<\/span> or other accusation shall be quashed or deemed invalid:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> For omitting to set forth that it is upon the oaths<\/span> of the jurors or upon their oaths<\/span> and affirmations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> For the insertion of the words “upon their oath<\/span>,” instead of “upon their oaths<\/span>”; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For not in terms alleging that the offense<\/span> was committed “within the jurisdiction<\/span> of the court<\/span>” when the averments show that the case is one of which the court<\/span> has jurisdiction<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> For the omission or misstatement of the title, occupation, estate, or degree of the accused<\/span> or of the name or place of his residence; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> For omitting the words “with force and arms” or the statement of any particular kind of force and arms; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> For omitting to state, or stating imperfectly, the time at which the offense<\/span> was committed when time is not the essence of the offense<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> For failing to allege the kind or value of an instrument which caused death or to allege that it was of no value; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> For omitting to charge the offense<\/span> to be “against the form of the statute<\/span> or statutes<\/span>”; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> For the omission or insertion of any other words of mere form or surplusage; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> For omitting or stating incorrectly the Virginia crime<\/span> code references for the particular offense<\/span> or offenses<\/span> covered.\n\t\t\tNor shall it be abated for any misnomer of the accused<\/span>; but the court<\/span> may, in case of a misnomer appearing before or in the course of a trial<\/span>, forthwith cause the indictment<\/span> or accusation to be amended according to the fact<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHAT DEFECTS IN INDICTMENTS NOT TO VITIATE THEM (\u00a7 19.2-226)\n\nNo indictment or other accusation shall be quashed or deemed invalid:\n\n1. For omitting to set forth that it is upon the oaths of the jurors or upon\ntheir oaths and affirmations;\n\n2. For the insertion of the words “upon their oath,” instead of\n“upon their oaths”;\n\n3. For not in terms alleging that the offense was committed “within the\njurisdiction of the court” when the averments show that the case is one of\nwhich the court has jurisdiction;\n\n4. For the omission or misstatement of the title, occupation, estate, or degree\nof the accused or of the name or place of his residence;\n\n5. For omitting the words “with force and arms” or the statement of\nany particular kind of force and arms;\n\n6. For omitting to state, or stating imperfectly, the time at which the offense\nwas committed when time is not the essence of the offense;\n\n7. For failing to allege the kind or value of an instrument which caused death\nor to allege that it was of no value;\n\n8. For omitting to charge the offense to be “against the form of the\nstatute or statutes”;\n\n9. For the omission or insertion of any other words of mere form or surplusage;\nor\n\n10. For omitting or stating incorrectly the Virginia crime code references for\nthe particular offense or offenses covered.\n\t\t\tNor shall it be abated for any misnomer of the accused; but the court may, in\ncase of a misnomer appearing before or in the course of a trial, forthwith cause\nthe indictment or accusation to be amended according to the fact.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-172; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2003, c. 148.","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"}}