<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>347313</law_id><section_number>15.2-1409</section_number><catch_line>Investigations by governing bodies</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="46" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="2" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="5" identifier="14">Governing Bodies of Localities</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> of any <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may make such investigations relating to its government affairs as it deems necessary, may employ financial, legal and other personnel it deems necessary to assist in such investigations, may <span class="dictionary">order</span> the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers and may administer <span class="dictionary">oaths</span>. Such governing bodies may apply to the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> for their <span class="dictionary">locality</span> for a subpoena or <span class="dictionary">subpoena duces tecum</span> against any person refusing to appear and testify or refusing to produce books, papers or records as ordered by such governing bodies and the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> of such <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall, upon good cause shown, cause the <span class="dictionary">subpoenas</span> to be issued. Any person failing to comply with any such subpoena shall be subject to punishment for <span class="dictionary">contempt</span> by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> issuing the subpoena.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 15-394; 1962, c. 623, &#xA7; 15.1-801; 1980, c. 335; 1997, c. 587.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
