{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/37.2-915.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/37.2-915.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/37.2-915.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/37.2-915.html"}],"law_id":361114,"edition_id":2,"section_id":361114,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-915","catch_line":"Representation of Commonwealth and person subject to commitment; nature of proceedings","history":"1999, cc. 946, 985, \u00a7 37.1-70.16; 2001, c. 776; 2003, cc. 989, 1018; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 121, 246.","full_text":"The Attorney General shall represent the Commonwealth in all proceedings held pursuant to this chapter. The Attorney General shall receive prior written notice of all proceedings held under this chapter in which he is to represent the Commonwealth.\n\nThe court shall appoint counsel for the person subject to commitment or conditional release pursuant to subsection C of \u00a7 37.2-906 unless the person waives his right to counsel. The court shall consider appointment of the person who represented the person in previous proceedings.\n\nAll proceedings held under this chapter shall be civil proceedings.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1343831,"text":"The Attorney General shall represent the Commonwealth in all proceedings held pursuant to this chapter. The Attorney General shall receive prior written notice of all proceedings held under this chapter in which he is to represent the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1343832,"text":"The court shall appoint counsel for the person subject to commitment or conditional release pursuant to subsection C of \u00a7 37.2-906 unless the person waives his right to counsel. The court shall consider appointment of the person who represented the person in previous proceedings.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1343833,"text":"All proceedings held under this chapter shall be civil proceedings.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":51643,"edition_id":2,"name":"Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":51633,"metadata":{"child_laws":25,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:45:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:54","permalink":{"id":1437505,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51643,"identifier":"9","token":"37.2\/III\/9","url":"\/37.2\/III\/9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51633,"edition_id":2,"name":"Admissions and Dispositions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51608,"metadata":{"child_laws":82,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:45:19","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:52","permalink":{"id":1437257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51633,"identifier":"III","token":"37.2\/III","url":"\/37.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51608,"edition_id":2,"name":"Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","identifier":"37.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":85,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":229,"child_structures":35},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:44:56","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:46","permalink":{"id":1436675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51608,"identifier":"37.2","token":"37.2","url":"\/37.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":361097,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-900","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/37.2-900\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":361096,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-900.1","catch_line":"Office of Sexually Violent Predator Services","url":"\/37.2-900.1\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-900.1","metadata":false},{"id":361098,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-901","catch_line":"Civil proceeding; rights of respondents; discovery","url":"\/37.2-901\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-901","metadata":false},{"id":361099,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-902","catch_line":"Commitment Review Committee; membership","url":"\/37.2-902\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-902","metadata":false},{"id":361100,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-903","catch_line":"Database of prisoners convicted of sexually violent offenses; maintained by Department of Corrections; notice of pending release to CRC","url":"\/37.2-903\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-903","metadata":false},{"id":361101,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-904","catch_line":"CRC assessment of prisoners or defendants eligible for commitment as sexually violent predators; mental health examination; recommendation","url":"\/37.2-904\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-904","metadata":false},{"id":361104,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-905","catch_line":"Review of prisoners convicted of a sexually violent offense; review of unrestorably incompetent defendants charged with sexually violent offenses; petition for commitment; notice to Department of Corrections or referring court regarding disposition of review","url":"\/37.2-905\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-905","metadata":false},{"id":361102,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-905.1","catch_line":"Substantial compliance","url":"\/37.2-905.1\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-905.1","metadata":false},{"id":361103,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-905.2","catch_line":"Access to records","url":"\/37.2-905.2\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-905.2","metadata":false},{"id":361105,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-906","catch_line":"Probable cause hearing; procedures","url":"\/37.2-906\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":361106,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-907","catch_line":"Right to assistance of experts; compensation","url":"\/37.2-907\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":361107,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-908","catch_line":"Trial; right to trial by jury; standard of proof; discovery","url":"\/37.2-908\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-908","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Gibson v. Commonwealth","case_number":"131256","citation":null,"date":"2014-04-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2670487\/gibson-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present:   All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"REVI, LLC v. Chicago Title Insurance Co.","case_number":"Record 141562.","citation":"776 S.E.2d 808","date":"2015-09-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2959680\/revi-llc-v-chicago-title-insurance-co\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Justice KELSEY, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Johnny Ray Benefield v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"0487243","citation":null,"date":"2024-11-19","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10277227\/johnny-ray-benefield-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Kim v. Director, Virginia Department of Corrections","case_number":"Case No. 1:14cv1637","citation":"103 F. Supp. 3d 749","date":"2015-04-30","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7313399\/kim-v-director-virginia-department-of-corrections\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":"Thomas v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 180015; Record 180764","citation":"829 S.E.2d 534","date":"2019-06-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4633395\/thomas-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Thomas v. Commonwealth (CORRECTED)","case_number":"180764","citation":null,"date":"2019-06-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4636315\/thomas-v-commonwealth-corrected\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Lawrence v. Com.","case_number":"091119","citation":"689 S.E.2d 748","date":"2010-02-25","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058230\/lawrence-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 689 S.E.2d 748 (2010) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Com. v. Wynn","case_number":"Record 072412.","citation":"671 S.E.2d 137","date":"2009-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058412\/com-v-wynn\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 671 S.E.2d 137 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"Commonwealth v. Blaxton","case_number":"102360","citation":null,"date":"2012-03-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1057927\/commonwealth-v-blaxton\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: Kinser, C.J., Lemons, Goodwyn, Millette, McClanahan .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"9":{"name":"Com. v. Bell","case_number":"102314","citation":"714 S.E.2d 562","date":"2011-09-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058005\/com-v-bell\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 714 S.E.2d 562 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":361108,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-909","catch_line":"Placement of committed respondents","url":"\/37.2-909\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":361109,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-910","catch_line":"Review of continuation of secure inpatient treatment hearing; procedure and reports; disposition","url":"\/37.2-910\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-910","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Johnny Ray Benefield v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"0487243","citation":null,"date":"2024-11-19","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10277227\/johnny-ray-benefield-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Shellman v. Commonwealth","case_number":"120261","citation":null,"date":"2012-11-01","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1057809\/shellman-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: Kinser, C.J., Lemons, Goodwyn, Millette, McClanahan, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Thomas v. Commonwealth (CORRECTED)","case_number":"180764","citation":null,"date":"2019-06-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4636315\/thomas-v-commonwealth-corrected\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Thomas v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 180015; Record 180764","citation":"829 S.E.2d 534","date":"2019-06-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4633395\/thomas-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Lotz v. Com.","case_number":"Record 081122.","citation":"672 S.E.2d 833","date":"2009-02-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058377\/lotz-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 672 S.E.2d 833 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Com. v. Bell","case_number":"102314","citation":"714 S.E.2d 562","date":"2011-09-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058005\/com-v-bell\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 714 S.E.2d 562 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Smith v. Com.","case_number":"091535","citation":"694 S.E.2d 578","date":"2010-06-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058175\/smith-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 694 S.E.2d 578 (2010) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Gibson v. Commonwealth","case_number":"131256","citation":null,"date":"2014-04-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2670487\/gibson-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present:   All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"Rhoten v. Commonwealth","case_number":"130456","citation":null,"date":"2013-10-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2620442\/rhoten-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT:   All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":361110,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-911","catch_line":"Petition for release; hearing; procedures","url":"\/37.2-911\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":361111,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-912","catch_line":"Conditional release; criteria; conditions; reports; penalty","url":"\/37.2-912\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":361112,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-913","catch_line":"Emergency custody of conditionally released respondents; revocation of conditional release","url":"\/37.2-913\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":361113,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-914","catch_line":"Modification or removal of conditions; notice; objections; review","url":"\/37.2-914\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":361114,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-915","catch_line":"Representation of Commonwealth and person subject to commitment; nature of proceedings","url":"\/37.2-915\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":361115,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-916","catch_line":"Authority of Commissioner; delegation to board; liability","url":"\/37.2-916\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-916","metadata":false},{"id":361116,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-917","catch_line":"Escape of persons committed; penalty","url":"\/37.2-917\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-917","metadata":false},{"id":361117,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-918","catch_line":"Persons on conditional release leaving Commonwealth; penalty","url":"\/37.2-918\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-918","metadata":false},{"id":361118,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-919","catch_line":"Postrelease supervision of Department; commission of new criminal offense by person committed to Department","url":"\/37.2-919\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-919","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":361119,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-920","catch_line":"Appeal by Attorney General; emergency custody order","url":"\/37.2-920\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-920","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Smith v. Com.","case_number":"091535","citation":"694 S.E.2d 578","date":"2010-06-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058175\/smith-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 694 S.E.2d 578 (2010) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":361120,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-921","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain persons","url":"\/37.2-921\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-921","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":361113,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-914","catch_line":"Modification or removal of conditions; notice; objections; review","url":"\/37.2-914\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-914","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":361115,"structure_id":51643,"section_number":"37.2-916","catch_line":"Authority of Commissioner; delegation to board; liability","url":"\/37.2-916\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-916","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/37.2-915\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0946\">946<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0985\">985<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 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 2001, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0776\">776<\/a>; in 2003, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0989\">989<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP1018\">1018<\/a>; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0716\">716<\/a>; in 2012, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0121\">121<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0246\">246<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":361105,"section_number":"37.2-906","catch_line":"Probable cause hearing; procedures","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-906\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1437579,"object_type":"law","relational_id":361114,"identifier":"37.2-915","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-915","url":"\/37.2-915\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/37.2-915\/","token":"37.2\/III\/9\/37.2-915","dublin_core":{"Title":"Representation of Commonwealth and person subject to commitment; nature of proceedings","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 37.2-915","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> shall represent the Commonwealth in all proceedings held pursuant to this chapter. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> shall receive prior written notice of all proceedings held under this chapter in which he is to represent the Commonwealth.<\/p><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall appoint <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> for the person subject to commitment or conditional release pursuant to subsection C of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Probable cause hearing; procedures\" href=\"\/37.2-906\/\">37.2-906<\/a> unless the person <span class=\"dictionary\">waives<\/span> his right to <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall consider appointment of the person who represented the person in previous proceedings.<\/p><p>All proceedings held under this chapter shall be civil proceedings.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREPRESENTATION OF COMMONWEALTH AND PERSON SUBJECT TO COMMITMENT; NATURE OF\nPROCEEDINGS (\u00a7 37.2-915)\n\nThe Attorney General shall represent the Commonwealth in all proceedings held\npursuant to this chapter. The Attorney General shall receive prior written\nnotice of all proceedings held under this chapter in which he is to represent\nthe Commonwealth.\n\nThe court shall appoint counsel for the person subject to commitment or\nconditional release pursuant to subsection C of \u00a7 37.2-906 unless the person\nwaives his right to counsel. The court shall consider appointment of the person\nwho represented the person in previous proceedings.\n\nAll proceedings held under this chapter shall be civil proceedings.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, cc. 946, 985, \u00a7 37.1-70.16; 2001, c. 776; 2003, cc. 989, 1018;\n2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 121, 246.","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"}}