§ 46.2-939 Authority of law-enforcement officers to issue subpoenas
Local law-enforcement officers and state police officers, in the course of their duties in the investigation of any accident involving a motor vehicle or vehicles, may, at the scene of any such accident, issue a subpoena to any witness to appear in court and testify with respect to any criminal charge brought against any person as a result of such accident. State police officers, additionally, may issue such subpoenas at any other location within seventy-two hours of the time of such accident, with the return of service thereof made to the appropriate court clerk within forty-eight hours after such service. A subpoena so issued shall have the same force and effect as if issued by the court. Any person failing to appear in response to a subpoena issued as provided in this section shall be punished as provided by law.
History
This law was first created in 1975. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 138 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 1975 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1986, chapter 40; in 1989, chapter 727.
1975, c. 138, § 46.1-178.2; 1986, c. 40; 1989, c. 727.