                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CIVIL PROCEEDING; RIGHTS OF RESPONDENTS; DISCOVERY (§ 37.2-901)

In hearings and trials held pursuant to this chapter, respondents shall have the
following rights:

1. To receive adequate notice of the proceeding.

2. To be represented by counsel.

3. To remain silent or to testify.

4. To be present during the hearing or trial.

5. To present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses.

6. To view and copy all petitions and reports in the court file.
			In no event shall a respondent be permitted, as a part of any proceedings
under this chapter, to raise challenges to the validity of his prior criminal or
institutional convictions, charges, or sentences, or the computation of his term
of confinement.			In no event shall a respondent be permitted to raise defenses
or objections based on defects in the institution of proceedings under this
chapter unless such defenses or objections have been raised in a written motion
to dismiss, stating the legal and factual grounds therefor, filed with the court
at least 14 days before the hearing or trial.			All proceedings conducted
hereunder are civil proceedings. However, no discovery shall be allowed prior to
the probable cause hearing. After the probable cause hearing, no discovery other
than that provided in this section shall be allowed without prior leave of the
court. Counsel for the respondent and any expert employed or appointed pursuant
to this chapter may possess and copy the victim impact statement or presentence
or postsentence report. In no event shall the respondent be permitted to retain
or copy a victim impact statement or presentence or postsentence report.

HISTORY: 1999, cc. 946, 985, § 37.1-70.2; 2001, c. 776; 2003, cc. 989, 1018;
2005, cc. 716, 914; 2007, c. 876; 2009, c. 740; 2011, cc. 446, 448.