{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-268.11.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-268.11.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-268.11.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-268.11.html"}],"law_id":60331,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60331,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.11","catch_line":"Substantial compliance","history":"1992, c. 830; 2003, cc. 933, 936.","full_text":"The steps set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-268.2 through 18.2-268.9 relating to taking, handling, identifying, and disposing of blood or breath samples are procedural and not substantive. Substantial compliance shall be sufficient. Failure to comply with any steps or portions thereof shall not of itself be grounds for finding the defendant not guilty, but shall go to the weight of the evidence and shall be considered with all the evidence in the case; however, the defendant shall have the right to introduce evidence on his own behalf to show noncompliance with the aforesaid procedures or any part thereof, and that as a result his rights were prejudiced.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":220663,"text":"The steps set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-268.2 through 18.2-268.9 relating to taking, handling, identifying, and disposing of blood or breath samples are procedural and not substantive. Substantial compliance shall be sufficient. Failure to comply with any steps or portions thereof shall not of itself be grounds for finding the defendant not guilty, but shall go to the weight of the evidence and shall be considered with all the evidence in the case; however, the defendant shall have the right to introduce evidence on his own behalf to show noncompliance with the aforesaid procedures or any part thereof, and that as a result his rights were prejudiced.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13849,"edition_id":1,"name":"Driving Motor Vehicle, etc., While Intoxicated","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12973,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:04","permalink":{"id":166823,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13849,"identifier":"2","token":"18.2\/7\/2","url":"\/18.2\/7\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12973,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Health and Safety","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":166501,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12973,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67410,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-266","catch_line":"Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc","url":"\/18.2-266\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-266","metadata":false},{"id":63203,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-266.1","catch_line":"Persons under age 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty","url":"\/18.2-266.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-266.1","metadata":false},{"id":58511,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-267","catch_line":"Preliminary analysis of breath to determine alcoholic content of blood","url":"\/18.2-267\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-267","metadata":false},{"id":61872,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-268\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268","metadata":false},{"id":63409,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.1","catch_line":"Chemical testing to determine alcohol or drug content of blood; definitions","url":"\/18.2-268.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.1","metadata":false},{"id":77586,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.10","catch_line":"Evidence of violation of driving under the influence offenses","url":"\/18.2-268.10\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.10","metadata":false},{"id":60331,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.11","catch_line":"Substantial compliance","url":"\/18.2-268.11\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.11","metadata":false},{"id":55454,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.12","catch_line":"Ordinances","url":"\/18.2-268.12\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.12","metadata":false},{"id":74659,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.2","catch_line":"Implied consent to post-arrest testing to determine drug or alcohol content of blood","url":"\/18.2-268.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.2","metadata":false},{"id":54870,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.3","catch_line":"Refusal of tests; penalties; procedures","url":"\/18.2-268.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.3","metadata":false},{"id":80937,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.4","catch_line":"Trial and appeal for refusal","url":"\/18.2-268.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.4","metadata":false},{"id":75295,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.5","catch_line":"Qualifications and liability of persons authorized to take blood sample; procedure for taking samples","url":"\/18.2-268.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.5","metadata":false},{"id":69540,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.6","catch_line":"Transmission of blood samples","url":"\/18.2-268.6\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.6","metadata":false},{"id":84208,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.7","catch_line":"Transmission of blood test samples; use as evidence","url":"\/18.2-268.7\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.7","metadata":false},{"id":71519,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.8","catch_line":"Fees","url":"\/18.2-268.8\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.8","metadata":false},{"id":72188,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.9","catch_line":"Assurance of breath-test validity; use of breath-test results as evidence","url":"\/18.2-268.9\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.9","metadata":false},{"id":71034,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-269","catch_line":"Presumptions from alcohol or drug content of blood","url":"\/18.2-269\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-269","metadata":false},{"id":75350,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-270","catch_line":"Penalty for driving while intoxicated; subsequent offense; prior conviction","url":"\/18.2-270\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-270","metadata":false},{"id":81046,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-270.01","catch_line":"Multiple offenders; payment to Trauma Center Fund","url":"\/18.2-270.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-270.01","metadata":false},{"id":81550,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-270.1","catch_line":"Ignition interlock systems; penalty","url":"\/18.2-270.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-270.1","metadata":false},{"id":81628,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-270.2","catch_line":"Ignition interlock system and remote alcohol monitoring device; certification by Commission on VASAP; regulations; sale or lease; monitoring use; reports","url":"\/18.2-270.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-270.2","metadata":false},{"id":80969,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271","catch_line":"Forfeiture of driver's license for driving while intoxicated","url":"\/18.2-271\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271","metadata":false},{"id":57797,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271.1","catch_line":"Probation, education, and rehabilitation of person charged or convicted; person convicted under law of another state or federal law","url":"\/18.2-271.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271.1","metadata":false},{"id":74018,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271.2","catch_line":"Commission on VASAP; purpose; membership; terms; meetings; staffing; compensation and expenses; chairman's executive summary","url":"\/18.2-271.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271.2","metadata":false},{"id":85453,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-271.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271.3","metadata":false},{"id":60570,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271.4","catch_line":"Oath of office","url":"\/18.2-271.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271.4","metadata":false},{"id":79130,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-271.5","catch_line":"Restricted permits to operate a motor vehicle; ignition interlock systems","url":"\/18.2-271.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-271.5","metadata":false},{"id":70219,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-272","catch_line":"Driving after forfeiture of license","url":"\/18.2-272\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-272","metadata":false},{"id":75028,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-273","catch_line":"Report of conviction to Department of Motor Vehicles","url":"\/18.2-273\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-273","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77586,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.10","catch_line":"Evidence of violation of driving under the influence offenses","url":"\/18.2-268.10\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.10","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55454,"structure_id":13849,"section_number":"18.2-268.12","catch_line":"Ordinances","url":"\/18.2-268.12\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.12","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-268.11\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 830 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1992 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2003, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0933\">933<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0936\">936<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55454,"section_number":"18.2-268.12","catch_line":"Ordinances","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-268.12\/"},{"id":60579,"section_number":"29.1-738.2","catch_line":"Consent to blood or breath test","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-738.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74659,"section_number":"18.2-268.2","catch_line":"Implied consent to post-arrest testing to determine drug or alcohol content of blood","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-268.2\/"},{"id":72188,"section_number":"18.2-268.9","catch_line":"Assurance of breath-test validity; use of breath-test results as evidence","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-268.9\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166849,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60331,"identifier":"18.2-268.11","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.11","url":"\/18.2-268.11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-268.11\/","token":"18.2\/7\/2\/18.2-268.11","dublin_core":{"Title":"Substantial compliance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-268.11","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The steps set forth in \u00a7\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Implied consent to post-arrest testing to determine drug or alcohol content of blood\" href=\"\/18.2-268.2\/\">18.2-268.2<\/a> through <a class=\"law\" title=\"Assurance of breath-test validity; use of breath-test results as evidence\" href=\"\/18.2-268.9\/\">18.2-268.9<\/a> relating to taking, handling, identifying, and disposing of blood or breath samples are procedural and not substantive. Substantial compliance shall be sufficient. Failure to comply with any steps or portions thereof shall not of itself be grounds for <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> not guilty, but shall go to the weight of the <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> and shall be considered with all the <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> in the case; however, the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> shall have the right to introduce <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> on his own behalf to show noncompliance with the aforesaid procedures or any part thereof, and that as a result his rights were prejudiced.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE (\u00a7 18.2-268.11)\n\nThe steps set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-268.2 through 18.2-268.9 relating to taking,\nhandling, identifying, and disposing of blood or breath samples are procedural\nand not substantive. Substantial compliance shall be sufficient. Failure to\ncomply with any steps or portions thereof shall not of itself be grounds for\nfinding the defendant not guilty, but shall go to the weight of the evidence and\nshall be considered with all the evidence in the case; however, the defendant\nshall have the right to introduce evidence on his own behalf to show\nnoncompliance with the aforesaid procedures or any part thereof, and that as a\nresult his rights were prejudiced.\n\nHISTORY: 1992, c. 830; 2003, cc. 933, 936.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}