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§ 19.2-215.1 Functions of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury

The functions of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury are:

1. To investigate any condition that involves or tends to promote criminal violations of: a. Title 10.1 for which punishment as a felony is authorized; b. Section 13.1-520; c. Sections 18.2-47 and 18.2-48; d. Sections 18.2-111 and 18.2-112; e. Article 6 (§ 18.2-59 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; f. Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; g. Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) and Article 1.1 (§ 18.2-265.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2; h. Article 1 (§ 18.2-325 et seq.) and Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, Chapter 29 (§ 59.1-364 et seq.) of Title 59.1 or any other provision prohibiting, limiting, regulating, or otherwise affecting gaming or gambling activity; i. Section 18.2-434, when violations occur before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury; j. Article 2 (§ 18.2-438 et seq.) and Article 3 (§ 18.2-446 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 18.2; k. Section 18.2-460 for which punishment as a felony is authorized; l. Article 1.1 (§ 18.2-498.1 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 18.2; m. Article 1 (§ 32.1-310 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 32.1; n. Chapter 4.2 (§ 59.1-68.6 et seq.) of Title 59.1; o. Article 9 (§ 3.2-6570 et seq.) of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2; p. Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; q. Article 2.1 (§ 18.2-46.1 et seq.) and Article 2.2 (§ 18.2-46.4 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; r. Article 5 (§ 18.2-186 et seq.) and Article 6 (§ 18.2-191 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 18.2; s. Chapter 6.1 (§ 59.1-92.1 et seq.) of Title 59.1; t. Section 18.2-178 where the violation involves insurance fraud; u. Section 18.2-346.01, 18.2-348, or 18.2-349 for which punishment as a felony is authorized or § 18.2-355, 18.2-356, 18.2-357, or 18.2-357.1; v. Article 9 (§ 18.2-246.1 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 18.2; w. Article 2 (§ 18.2-38 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; x. Malicious felonious assault and malicious bodily wounding under Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; y. Article 5 (§ 18.2-58 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; z. Felonious sexual assault under Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; aa. Arson in violation of § 18.2-77 when the structure burned was occupied or a Class 3 felony violation of § 18.2-79; ab. Chapter 13 (§ 18.2-512 et seq.) of Title 18.2; ac. Section 18.2-246.14 and Chapter 10 (§ 58.1-1000 et seq.) of Title 58.1; ad. Subsection A or B of § 18.2-57 where the victim was selected because of his race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin; ae. Section 18.2-121 for which punishment as a felony is authorized; af. Article 5 (§ 18.2-420 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 18.2; ag. §§ 18.2-178.1 and 18.2-178.2; ah. § 18.2-369; and ai. Any other provision of law when such condition is discovered in the course of an investigation that a multi-jurisdiction grand jury is otherwise authorized to undertake and to investigate any condition that involves or tends to promote any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate the laws enumerated in this section.

2. To report evidence of any criminal offense enumerated in subdivision 1 and for which a court reporter has recorded all oral testimony as provided by § 19.2-215.9 to the attorney for the Commonwealth or United States attorney of any jurisdiction where such offense could be prosecuted or investigated, or to the chief law-enforcement officer of any jurisdiction where such offense could be prosecuted or investigated, or to a sworn investigator designated pursuant to § 19.2-215.6, or, when appropriate, to the Attorney General.

3. To consider bills of indictment prepared by a special counsel to determine whether there is sufficient probable cause to return each such indictment as a “true bill.” Only bills of indictment which allege an offense enumerated in subdivision 1 may be submitted to a multi-jurisdiction grand jury.

4. The provisions of this section shall not abrogate the authority of an attorney for the Commonwealth in a particular jurisdiction to determine the course of a prosecution in that jurisdiction.

History

This law was first created in 1983. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 543 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1983 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 14 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1991, chapter 616; in 1995, chapter 552; in 2000, chapter 359; in 2002, chapters 588 and 623; in 2004, chapters 396 and 435; in 2008, chapter 704; in 2009, chapter 491; in 2011, chapter 504; in 2013, chapters 83, 314, and 459; in 2014, chapters 389, 422, and 534; in 2015, chapters 690 and 691; in 2019, chapter 617; in 2020, chapter 747; in 2024, chapter 397.

1983, c. 543; 1991, c. 616; 1995, c. 552; 2000, c. 359; 2002, cc. 588, 623; 2004, cc. 396, 435; 2008, c. 704; 2009, c. 491; 2011, c. 504; 2013, cc. 83, 314, 459; 2014, cc. 389, 422, 534; 2015, cc. 690, 691; 2019, c. 617; 2020, c. 747; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188; 2024, c. 397.

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