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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>351460</law_id><section_number>19.2-226</section_number><catch_line>What defects in indictments not to vitiate them</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="2" identifier="2">Form and Requisites</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>No <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or other accusation shall be quashed or deemed invalid:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> For omitting to set forth that it is upon the <span class="dictionary">oaths</span> of the jurors or upon their <span class="dictionary">oaths</span> and affirmations; <a id="paragraph-1308600" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> For the insertion of the words &#x201C;upon their <span class="dictionary">oath</span>,&#x201D; instead of &#x201C;upon their <span class="dictionary">oaths</span>&#x201D;; <a id="paragraph-1308601" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> For not in terms alleging that the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> was committed &#x201C;within the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span>&#x201D; when the averments show that the case is one of which the <span class="dictionary">court</span> has <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>; <a id="paragraph-1308602" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> For the omission or misstatement of the title, occupation, estate, or degree of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> or of the name or place of his residence; <a id="paragraph-1308603" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> For omitting the words &#x201C;with force and arms&#x201D; or the statement of any particular kind of force and arms; <a id="paragraph-1308604" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> For omitting to state, or stating imperfectly, the time at which the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> was committed when time is not the essence of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>; <a id="paragraph-1308605" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">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; <a id="paragraph-1308606" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> For omitting to charge the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> to be &#x201C;against the form of the <span class="dictionary">statute</span> or <span class="dictionary">statutes</span>&#x201D;; <a id="paragraph-1308607" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> For the omission or insertion of any other words of mere form or surplusage; or <a id="paragraph-1308608" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> For omitting or stating incorrectly the Virginia <span class="dictionary">crime</span> code references for the particular <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> covered.
			Nor shall it be abated for any misnomer of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>; but the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, in case of a misnomer appearing before or in the course of a <span class="dictionary">trial</span>, forthwith cause the <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or accusation to be amended according to the <span class="dictionary">fact</span>. <a id="paragraph-1308609" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-226/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 19.1-172; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2003, c. 148.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
