{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-119.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-119.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-119.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-119.html"}],"law_id":61367,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61367,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-119","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-109.1; 1973, c. 485; 1974, c. 114; 1975, c. 495; 1984, c. 703; 1991, c. 581; 1993, c. 636; 1999, cc. 829, 846; 2008, cc. 551, 691.","full_text":"As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Bail” means the pretrial release of a person from custody upon those terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer.\n\t\t“Bond” means the posting by a person or his surety of a written promise to pay a specific sum, secured or unsecured, ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail to assure performance of the terms and conditions contained in the recognizance.\n\t\t“Criminal history” means records and data collected by criminal justice agencies or persons consisting of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, informations or other formal charges, and any deposition arising therefrom.\n\t\t“Judicial officer” means, unless otherwise indicated, any magistrate serving the jurisdiction, any judge of a district court and the clerk or deputy clerk of any district court or circuit court within their respective cities and counties, any judge of a circuit court, any judge of the Court of Appeals and any justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.\n\t\t“Person” means any accused, or any juvenile taken into custody pursuant to \u00a7 16.1-246.\n\t\t“Recognizance” means a signed commitment by a person to appear in court as directed and to adhere to any other terms ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":224178,"text":"As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Bail” means the pretrial release of a person from custody upon those terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer.\n\t\t“Bond” means the posting by a person or his surety of a written promise to pay a specific sum, secured or unsecured, ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail to assure performance of the terms and conditions contained in the recognizance.\n\t\t“Criminal history” means records and data collected by criminal justice agencies or persons consisting of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, informations or other formal charges, and any deposition arising therefrom.\n\t\t“Judicial officer” means, unless otherwise indicated, any magistrate serving the jurisdiction, any judge of a district court and the clerk or deputy clerk of any district court or circuit court within their respective cities and counties, any judge of a circuit court, any judge of the Court of Appeals and any justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.\n\t\t“Person” means any accused, or any juvenile taken into custody pursuant to \u00a7 16.1-246.\n\t\t“Recognizance” means a signed commitment by a person to appear in court as directed and to adhere to any other terms ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14929,"edition_id":1,"name":"Bail","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12917,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:51","permalink":{"id":171211,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14929,"identifier":"1","token":"19.2\/9\/1","url":"\/19.2\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12917,"edition_id":1,"name":"Bail and Recognizances","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","permalink":{"id":171209,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12917,"identifier":"9","token":"19.2\/9","url":"\/19.2\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61367,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-119","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/19.2-119\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-119","metadata":false},{"id":57923,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-120","catch_line":"Admission to bail","url":"\/19.2-120\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-120","metadata":false},{"id":63951,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-120.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-120.1\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-120.1","metadata":false},{"id":76391,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-121","catch_line":"Fixing terms of bail","url":"\/19.2-121\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-121","metadata":false},{"id":85628,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-122","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-122\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-122","metadata":false},{"id":58592,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-123","catch_line":"Release of accused on secured or unsecured bond or promise to appear; conditions of release","url":"\/19.2-123\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-123","metadata":false},{"id":65958,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-124","catch_line":"Appeal from bail, bond, or recognizance order","url":"\/19.2-124\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-124","metadata":false},{"id":87460,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-125","catch_line":"Release pending appeal from conviction in court not of record","url":"\/19.2-125\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-125","metadata":false},{"id":67934,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-126","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-126\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-126","metadata":false},{"id":85269,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-127","catch_line":"Conditions of release of material witness","url":"\/19.2-127\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-127","metadata":false},{"id":78904,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-128","catch_line":"Penalties for failure to appear","url":"\/19.2-128\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-128","metadata":false},{"id":71774,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-129","catch_line":"Power of court to punish for contempt","url":"\/19.2-129\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-129","metadata":false},{"id":80938,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-130","catch_line":"Bail in subsequent proceeding arising out of initial arrest","url":"\/19.2-130\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-130","metadata":false},{"id":71604,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-130.1","catch_line":"Bail terms set by court on a capias to be honored by magistrate","url":"\/19.2-130.1\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-130.1","metadata":false},{"id":56973,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-131","catch_line":"Bail for person held in jurisdiction other than that of trial","url":"\/19.2-131\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-131","metadata":false},{"id":57999,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-132","catch_line":"Motion to increase amount of bond fixed by judicial officer; when bond may be increased","url":"\/19.2-132\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-132","metadata":false},{"id":84221,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-132.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-132.1\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-132.1","metadata":false},{"id":87032,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-134","catch_line":"When bail piece to be delivered to accused; form of bail piece","url":"\/19.2-134\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-134","metadata":false},{"id":81348,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-134.1","catch_line":"Collection and reporting of data related to adults charged with a criminal offense punishable by confinement in jail or a term of imprisonment","url":"\/19.2-134.1\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-134.1","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":57923,"structure_id":14929,"section_number":"19.2-120","catch_line":"Admission to bail","url":"\/19.2-120\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-120","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-119\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 485; in 1974, chapter 114; in 1975, chapter 495; in 1984, chapter 703; in 1991, chapter 581; in 1993, chapter 636; in 1999, chapters 829<\/a> and 846<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 551<\/a> and 691<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84966,"section_number":"15.2-1627","catch_line":"Duties of attorneys for the Commonwealth and their assistants","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1627\/"},{"id":55218,"section_number":"16.1-135","catch_line":"Bail and recognizance; papers filed with circuit court","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-135\/"},{"id":55210,"section_number":"16.1-247","catch_line":"Duties of person taking child into custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-247\/"},{"id":66525,"section_number":"16.1-248.1","catch_line":"Criteria for detention or shelter care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-248.1\/"},{"id":76378,"section_number":"16.1-250","catch_line":"Procedure for detention hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-250\/"},{"id":74524,"section_number":"16.1-258","catch_line":"Bonds and forfeitures thereof","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-258\/"},{"id":55813,"section_number":"16.1-269.2","catch_line":"Admissibility of statement; investigation and report; bail","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-269.2\/"},{"id":54257,"section_number":"19.2-150","catch_line":"Proceeding when surety surrenders principal","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-150\/"},{"id":59283,"section_number":"19.2-152.2","catch_line":"Purpose; establishment of pretrial services and services agencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.2\/"},{"id":83709,"section_number":"19.2-152.3","catch_line":"Department of Criminal Justice Services to prescribe standards; biennial plan","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.3\/"},{"id":73921,"section_number":"19.2-152.4","catch_line":"Mandated services","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.4\/"},{"id":78329,"section_number":"19.2-158","catch_line":"When person not free on bail shall be informed of right to counsel and amount of bail","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-158\/"},{"id":79502,"section_number":"19.2-186","catch_line":"When accused to be discharged, tried, committed or bailed by judge","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-186\/"},{"id":58683,"section_number":"19.2-234","catch_line":"Procedure when person arrested under capias","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-234\/"},{"id":61792,"section_number":"19.2-327.10:1","catch_line":"Petition for writ of actual innocence joined by Attorney General; release of prisoner; bond hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.10_1\/"},{"id":75395,"section_number":"19.2-327.2:1","catch_line":"Petition for writ of actual innocence joined by Attorney General; release of prisoner; bond hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.2_1\/"},{"id":70900,"section_number":"19.2-398","catch_line":"When appeal by the Commonwealth allowed","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-398\/"},{"id":61058,"section_number":"19.2-406","catch_line":"Bail pending pretrial appeal","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-406\/"},{"id":81296,"section_number":"19.2-80.2","catch_line":"Duty of arresting officer; providing magistrate or court with criminal history information","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-80.2\/"},{"id":61276,"section_number":"19.2-82","catch_line":"Procedure upon arrest without warrant","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-82\/"},{"id":77776,"section_number":"2.2-511","catch_line":"Criminal cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-511\/"},{"id":62681,"section_number":"28.2-802","catch_line":"Powers of officers charged with enforcement; entry to establishment; seizure; destruction","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-802\/"},{"id":87233,"section_number":"38.2-2416","catch_line":"Power of attorney to be recorded or attached; filing with the Department of Criminal Justice Services","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-2416\/"},{"id":81229,"section_number":"46.2-936","catch_line":"Arrest for misdemeanor; release on summons; right to demand hearing immediately or within 24 hours; issuance of warrant on request of officer for violations of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-301 and 46.2-302; violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-936\/"},{"id":82667,"section_number":"54.1-924","catch_line":"Piloting, etc., vessel without license; how offenders proceeded against","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-924\/"},{"id":69965,"section_number":"8.01-508","catch_line":"How debtor may be arrested and held to answer","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-508\/"},{"id":79481,"section_number":"9.1-185","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-185\/"},{"id":60799,"section_number":"9.1-185.6","catch_line":"Licenses; renewal","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-185.6\/"},{"id":61441,"section_number":"9.1-186","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-186\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56400,"section_number":"16.1-246","catch_line":"When and how child may be taken into immediate custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-246\/"}],"permalink":{"id":171213,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61367,"identifier":"19.2-119","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-119","url":"\/19.2-119\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-119\/","token":"19.2\/9\/1\/19.2-119","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-119","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Bail<\/span>” means the pretrial release of a person<\/span> from custody<\/span> upon those terms and conditions specified by order<\/span> of an appropriate judicial officer.\n\t\t“Bond<\/span>” means the posting by a person<\/span> or his surety<\/span> of a written promise to pay a specific sum, secured or unsecured, ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail<\/span> to assure performance of the terms and conditions contained in the recognizance<\/span>.\n\t\t“Criminal history<\/span>” means records and data collected by criminal justice agencies or persons<\/span> consisting of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests<\/span>, detentions, indictments<\/span>, informations or other formal charges, and any deposition<\/span> arising therefrom.\n\t\t“Judicial officer” means, unless otherwise indicated, any magistrate<\/span> serving the jurisdiction<\/span>, any judge<\/span> of a district court<\/span> and the clerk or deputy clerk of any district court<\/span> or circuit<\/span> court<\/span> within their respective cities and counties, any judge<\/span> of a circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, any judge<\/span> of the Court<\/span> of Appeals<\/span> and any justice of the Supreme Court<\/span> of Virginia.\n\t\t“Person<\/span>” means any accused<\/span>, or any juvenile taken into custody<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7 16.1-246<\/a>.\n\t\t“Recognizance<\/span>” means a signed commitment by a person<\/span> to appear in court<\/span> as directed and to adhere to any other terms ordered by an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 19.2-119)\n\nAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Bail” means the pretrial release of a person from custody upon\nthose terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial\nofficer.\n\t\t“Bond” means the posting by a person or his surety of a written\npromise to pay a specific sum, secured or unsecured, ordered by an appropriate\njudicial officer as a condition of bail to assure performance of the terms and\nconditions contained in the recognizance.\n\t\t“Criminal history” means records and data collected by criminal\njustice agencies or persons consisting of identifiable descriptions and\nnotations of arrests, detentions, indictments, informations or other formal\ncharges, and any deposition arising therefrom.\n\t\t“Judicial officer” means, unless otherwise indicated, any\nmagistrate serving the jurisdiction, any judge of a district court and the clerk\nor deputy clerk of any district court or circuit court within their respective\ncities and counties, any judge of a circuit court, any judge of the Court of\nAppeals and any justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.\n\t\t“Person” means any accused, or any juvenile taken into custody\npursuant to \u00a7 16.1-246.\n\t\t“Recognizance” means a signed commitment by a person to appear in\ncourt as directed and to adhere to any other terms ordered by an appropriate\njudicial officer as a condition of bail.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-109.1; 1973, c. 485; 1974, c. 114; 1975, c. 495;\n1984, c. 703; 1991, c. 581; 1993, c. 636; 1999, cc. 829, 846; 2008, cc. 551,\n691.","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}}