{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/20-66.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/20-66.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/20-66.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/20-66.html"}],"law_id":353688,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353688,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-66","catch_line":"Contempt proceedings; trial in absence of defendant","history":"1944, p. 211; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 1937a; 1974, c. 464.","full_text":"a\n\nIf the person so summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear as herein required, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court and the court may, (1) proceed with the trial of the case in his or her absence and render such judgment as to it seems right and proper, or (2) continue the case to some future date.\n\nb\n\nIf the trial be proceeded with in the absence of the defendant and judgment of conviction be entered against him or her, he or she may, within thirty days after the judgment of conviction is rendered, make application to the court to have the case reopened, and after due notice to the original complainant, for good cause, the court may reopen the case and enter such judgment or order as is right and proper.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1317633,"text":"If the person so summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear as herein required, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court and the court may, (1) proceed with the trial of the case in his or her absence and render such judgment as to it seems right and proper, or (2) continue the case to some future date.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":1317634,"text":"If the trial be proceeded with in the absence of the defendant and judgment of conviction be entered against him or her, he or she may, within thirty days after the judgment of conviction is rendered, make application to the court to have the case reopened, and after due notice to the original complainant, for good cause, the court may reopen the case and enter such judgment or order as is right and proper.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50639,"edition_id":2,"name":"Desertion and Nonsupport","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":7,"parent_id":50619,"metadata":{"child_laws":40,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:50","permalink":{"id":1405423,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50639,"identifier":"5","token":"20\/5","url":"\/20\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50619,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":56,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":329,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:08","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50619,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353683,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61","catch_line":"Desertion or nonsupport of wife, husband or children in necessitous circumstances","url":"\/20-61\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61","metadata":false},{"id":353681,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-61.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61.1","metadata":false},{"id":353682,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61.3","catch_line":"Consequences of a putative father failing to appear","url":"\/20-61.3\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61.3","metadata":false},{"id":353684,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-62","catch_line":"Commitment to workhouse, city farm or work squad for such desertion","url":"\/20-62\/","token":"20\/5\/20-62","metadata":false},{"id":353685,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-63","catch_line":"Support payments by county or city","url":"\/20-63\/","token":"20\/5\/20-63","metadata":false},{"id":353686,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-64","catch_line":"Proceedings instituted by petition","url":"\/20-64\/","token":"20\/5\/20-64","metadata":false},{"id":353687,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-65","catch_line":"Summons or warrant; investigation and hearing","url":"\/20-65\/","token":"20\/5\/20-65","metadata":false},{"id":353688,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-66","catch_line":"Contempt proceedings; trial in absence of defendant","url":"\/20-66\/","token":"20\/5\/20-66","metadata":false},{"id":353689,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-67","catch_line":"Jurisdiction","url":"\/20-67\/","token":"20\/5\/20-67","metadata":false},{"id":353690,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-68","catch_line":"Appeal","url":"\/20-68\/","token":"20\/5\/20-68","metadata":false},{"id":353691,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-69","catch_line":"Fees of officers","url":"\/20-69\/","token":"20\/5\/20-69","metadata":false},{"id":353692,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-70","catch_line":"No warrant of arrest to issue","url":"\/20-70\/","token":"20\/5\/20-70","metadata":false},{"id":353694,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-71","catch_line":"Temporary orders for support","url":"\/20-71\/","token":"20\/5\/20-71","metadata":false},{"id":353693,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-71.1","catch_line":"Attorneys' fees in proceedings under \u00a7 20-71","url":"\/20-71.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-71.1","metadata":false},{"id":353695,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-72","catch_line":"Probation on order directing defendant to pay and enter recognizance","url":"\/20-72\/","token":"20\/5\/20-72","metadata":false},{"id":353696,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-73","catch_line":"Condition of the recognizance","url":"\/20-73\/","token":"20\/5\/20-73","metadata":false},{"id":353697,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-74","catch_line":"Support orders to remain in effect until annulled; modification","url":"\/20-74\/","token":"20\/5\/20-74","metadata":false},{"id":353698,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-75","catch_line":"Procedure when accused outside territorial jurisdiction","url":"\/20-75\/","token":"20\/5\/20-75","metadata":false},{"id":353699,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-76","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-76\/","token":"20\/5\/20-76","metadata":false},{"id":353700,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-77","catch_line":"When authority to suspend sentence may be exercised; deduction of certain time from sentence","url":"\/20-77\/","token":"20\/5\/20-77","metadata":false},{"id":353703,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78","catch_line":"Continuance of failure to support after completion of sentence","url":"\/20-78\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Lisa J. Wills v. W. Neil Wills","case_number":"0144204","citation":null,"date":"2021-02-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4854921\/lisa-j-wills-v-w-neil-wills\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Vinnedge v. Gibbs","case_number":"77-2248","citation":"571 F.2d 579","date":"1978-03-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/353542\/vinnedge-v-gibbs\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 571 F.2d 579 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Wills v. Wills (ORDER)","case_number":"210318","citation":null,"date":"2022-04-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6459328\/wills-v-wills-order\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. VIRGINIA: .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"W. Neil Wills v. Lisa J. Wills","case_number":"0117204","citation":null,"date":"2021-02-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4854919\/w-neil-wills-v-lisa-j-wills\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Arthur G. Kahn v. Eileen McNicholas","case_number":"0982164","citation":"67 Va. App. 215","date":"2017-01-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4343925\/arthur-g-kahn-v-eileen-mcnicholas\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *220 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Chattin v. Chattin","case_number":"Record 920653","citation":"427 S.E.2d 347","date":"1993-02-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1262965\/chattin-v-chattin\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 427 S.E.2d 347 (1993) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Butler v. Butler","case_number":"Record 790350","citation":"277 S.E.2d 180","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309919\/butler-v-butler\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 180 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Gregory Warren Beaver v. J.D. Netherland, Warden","case_number":"95-4003","citation":"101 F.3d 977","date":"1996-11-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/730846\/gregory-warren-beaver-v-jd-netherland-warden\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *978AMENDED ORDER .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"8":{"name":"Ford v. Purvis","case_number":"78-6321","citation":"584 F.2d 976","date":"1978-09-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/360041\/ford-v-purvis\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 584 F.2d 976 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"9":{"name":"Cogdell, in Re","case_number":"78-6586","citation":"588 F.2d 1347","date":"1978-12-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/361969\/cogdell-in-re\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 588 F.2d 1347 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":353701,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78.1","catch_line":"Effect of entry of support order in certain garnishment proceedings","url":"\/20-78.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78.1","metadata":false},{"id":353702,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78.2","catch_line":"Attorney fees and interest on support arrearage","url":"\/20-78.2\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78.2","metadata":false},{"id":353707,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79","catch_line":"Effect of divorce proceedings","url":"\/20-79\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79","metadata":false},{"id":353704,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.1","catch_line":"Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge","url":"\/20-79.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.1","metadata":false},{"id":353705,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.2","catch_line":"Immediate income deduction; income withholding","url":"\/20-79.2\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.2","metadata":false},{"id":353706,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.3","catch_line":"Information required in income deduction order","url":"\/20-79.3\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.3","metadata":false},{"id":353708,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-80","catch_line":"Violation of orders; trial; forfeiture of recognizance","url":"\/20-80\/","token":"20\/5\/20-80","metadata":false},{"id":353709,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-81","catch_line":"Presumptions as to desertion and abandonment","url":"\/20-81\/","token":"20\/5\/20-81","metadata":false},{"id":353710,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-82","catch_line":"Spouses competent as witnesses","url":"\/20-82\/","token":"20\/5\/20-82","metadata":false},{"id":353712,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-83","catch_line":"Venue of offense","url":"\/20-83\/","token":"20\/5\/20-83","metadata":false},{"id":353711,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-83.1","catch_line":"Transfer of cases between courts in certain instances","url":"\/20-83.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-83.1","metadata":false},{"id":353713,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-84","catch_line":"Extradition","url":"\/20-84\/","token":"20\/5\/20-84","metadata":false},{"id":353714,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-85","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-85\/","token":"20\/5\/20-85","metadata":false},{"id":353716,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-87","catch_line":"Arrest for violating directions, rules or regulations given by judge","url":"\/20-87\/","token":"20\/5\/20-87","metadata":false},{"id":353715,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-87.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-87.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-87.1","metadata":false},{"id":353799,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88","catch_line":"Support of parents by children","url":"\/20-88\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88","metadata":false},{"id":353717,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-88.01\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.01","metadata":false},{"id":353718,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.02","catch_line":"Transfer of assets to qualify for assistance; liability of transferees","url":"\/20-88.02\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.02","metadata":false},{"id":353719,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.02:1","catch_line":"Limitations on spousal support orders resulting in eligibility for medical assistance services; definitions","url":"\/20-88.02_1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.02_1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353687,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-65","catch_line":"Summons or warrant; investigation and hearing","url":"\/20-65\/","token":"20\/5\/20-65","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353689,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-67","catch_line":"Jurisdiction","url":"\/20-67\/","token":"20\/5\/20-67","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-66\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 1974, chapter 464.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1405453,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353688,"identifier":"20-66","token":"20\/5\/20-66","url":"\/20-66\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-66\/","token":"20\/5\/20-66","dublin_core":{"Title":"Contempt proceedings; trial in absence of defendant","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-66","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"a\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">a.<\/span> If the person so summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear as herein required, he or she may be proceeded against as for <span class=\"dictionary\">contempt of court<\/span> and the court may, (1) proceed with the <span class=\"dictionary\">trial<\/span> of the case in his or her absence and render such <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> as to it seems right and proper, or (2) continue the case to some future date. <a id=\"paragraph-1317633\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/20-66\/#a\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"b\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">b.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">trial<\/span> be proceeded with in the absence of the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> be entered against him or her, he or she may, within thirty days after the <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> is rendered, make application to the court to have the case reopened, and after due notice to the original complainant, for good cause, the court may reopen the case and enter such <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> as is right and proper. <a id=\"paragraph-1317634\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/20-66\/#b\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS; TRIAL IN ABSENCE OF DEFENDANT (\u00a7 20-66)\n\na. If the person so summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear as herein\nrequired, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court and the\ncourt may, (1) proceed with the trial of the case in his or her absence and\nrender such judgment as to it seems right and proper, or (2) continue the case\nto some future date.\n\nb. If the trial be proceeded with in the absence of the defendant and judgment\nof conviction be entered against him or her, he or she may, within thirty days\nafter the judgment of conviction is rendered, make application to the court to\nhave the case reopened, and after due notice to the original complainant, for\ngood cause, the court may reopen the case and enter such judgment or order as is\nright and proper.\n\nHISTORY: 1944, p. 211; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 1937a; 1974, c. 464.","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"}}