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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>351452</law_id><section_number>19.2-219</section_number><catch_line>When capias need not be issued; summons; judgment</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="54" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="18" identifier="14">Presentments, Indictments and Informations</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Necessity for Indictment, Etc</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>No <span class="dictionary">capias</span> need be issued on a <span class="dictionary">presentment</span> or <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> of an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> for which there is no punishment but a fine or forfeiture, limited to an amount not exceeding twenty dollars; but a <span class="dictionary">summons</span> to answer such <span class="dictionary">presentment</span> or <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> may be issued against the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>; and if it be served ten days before the return day thereof, and he does not appear, <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> may be rendered against him for the <span class="dictionary">penalty</span>. If he appear, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, unless he demand a <span class="dictionary">jury</span>, hear and determine the matter and give <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> thereon.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 19.1-164; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
