{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-215.7.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-215.7.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-215.7.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-215.7.html"}],"law_id":78523,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78523,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.7","catch_line":"Warnings given to witnesses; when witness in contempt; use of testimony compelled after witness invokes right against self-incrimination","history":"1983, c. 543.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery witness testifying before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be warned by special counsel or by the foreman of the grand jury that he need not answer any question that would tend to incriminate him, and that he may later be called upon to testify in any case that may result from the grand jury proceedings.B\n\nA witness who has been called to testify or produce evidence before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury, and who refuses to testify or produce evidence by expressly invoking his right not to incriminate himself, may be compelled to testify or produce evidence by the presiding judge. A witness who refuses to testify or produce evidence after being ordered to do so by the presiding judge may be held in contempt and may be incarcerated until the contempt is purged by compliance with the order.C\n\nWhen a witness is compelled to testify or produce evidence after expressly invoking his right not to incriminate himself, and the presiding judge has determined that the assertion of the right is bona fide, the compelled testimony, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other information, shall not be used against the witness in any criminal proceeding except a prosecution for perjury.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":281384,"text":"Every witness testifying before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be warned by special counsel or by the foreman of the grand jury that he need not answer any question that would tend to incriminate him, and that he may later be called upon to testify in any case that may result from the grand jury proceedings.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":281385,"text":"A witness who has been called to testify or produce evidence before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury, and who refuses to testify or produce evidence by expressly invoking his right not to incriminate himself, may be compelled to testify or produce evidence by the presiding judge. A witness who refuses to testify or produce evidence after being ordered to do so by the presiding judge may be held in contempt and may be incarcerated until the contempt is purged by compliance with the order.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":281386,"text":"When a witness is compelled to testify or produce evidence after expressly invoking his right not to incriminate himself, and the presiding judge has determined that the assertion of the right is bona fide, the compelled testimony, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other information, shall not be used against the witness in any criminal proceeding except a prosecution for perjury.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15227,"edition_id":1,"name":"Multi-Jurisdiction Grand Juries","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14961,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:11","permalink":{"id":168815,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15227,"identifier":"4","token":"19.2\/13\/4","url":"\/19.2\/13\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14961,"edition_id":1,"name":"Grand Juries","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:07","permalink":{"id":168699,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14961,"identifier":"13","token":"19.2\/13","url":"\/19.2\/13\/","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":77143,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.1","catch_line":"Functions of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury","url":"\/19.2-215.1\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.1","metadata":false},{"id":57982,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.10","catch_line":"Participation by Office of Attorney General; assistance of special counsel permitted in certain prosecutions","url":"\/19.2-215.10\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.10","metadata":false},{"id":76814,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.11","catch_line":"Discharge of grand jury","url":"\/19.2-215.11\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.11","metadata":false},{"id":83099,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.2","catch_line":"Application for such grand jury","url":"\/19.2-215.2\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.2","metadata":false},{"id":72986,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.3","catch_line":"When impaneled; impaneling order","url":"\/19.2-215.3\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.3","metadata":false},{"id":65310,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.4","catch_line":"Number and qualifications of jurors; grand jury list; when convened; compensation of jurors","url":"\/19.2-215.4\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.4","metadata":false},{"id":73674,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.5","catch_line":"Subpoena power; counsel for witness; oath","url":"\/19.2-215.5\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.5","metadata":false},{"id":82203,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.6","catch_line":"Role and presence of special counsel; examination of witnesses; sworn investigators","url":"\/19.2-215.6\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.6","metadata":false},{"id":78523,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.7","catch_line":"Warnings given to witnesses; when witness in contempt; use of testimony compelled after witness invokes right against self-incrimination","url":"\/19.2-215.7\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.7","metadata":false},{"id":75289,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.8","catch_line":"Returning a \"true bill\" of indictment; jurisdiction to be set out","url":"\/19.2-215.8\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.8","metadata":false},{"id":69064,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.9","catch_line":"Court reporter provided; safekeeping of transcripts, notes, etc.; when disclosure permitted; access to record of testimony and evidence","url":"\/19.2-215.9\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82203,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.6","catch_line":"Role and presence of special counsel; examination of witnesses; sworn investigators","url":"\/19.2-215.6\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75289,"structure_id":15227,"section_number":"19.2-215.8","catch_line":"Returning a \"true bill\" of indictment; jurisdiction to be set out","url":"\/19.2-215.8\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-215.7\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1983. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 543 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 1983 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":168849,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78523,"identifier":"19.2-215.7","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.7","url":"\/19.2-215.7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-215.7\/","token":"19.2\/13\/4\/19.2-215.7","dublin_core":{"Title":"Warnings given to witnesses; when witness in contempt; use of testimony compelled after witness invokes right against self-incrimination","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-215.7","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every witness<\/span> testifying before a multi-jurisdiction<\/span> grand jury<\/span> shall be warned by special counsel<\/span> or by the foreman<\/span> of the grand jury<\/span> that he need not answer any question that would tend to incriminate<\/span> him, and that he may later be called upon to testify in any case that may result from the grand jury<\/span> proceedings. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A witness<\/span> who has been called to testify or produce evidence<\/span> before a multi-jurisdiction<\/span> grand jury<\/span>, and who refuses to testify or produce evidence<\/span> by expressly invoking his right not to incriminate<\/span> himself, may be compelled to testify or produce evidence<\/span> by the presiding judge<\/span>. A witness<\/span> who refuses to testify or produce evidence<\/span> after being ordered to do so by the presiding judge<\/span> may be held in contempt<\/span> and may be incarcerated until the contempt<\/span> is purged by compliance with the order<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> When a witness<\/span> is compelled to testify or produce evidence<\/span> after expressly invoking his right not to incriminate<\/span> himself, and the presiding judge<\/span> has determined that the assertion of the right is bona fide, the compelled testimony<\/span>, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony<\/span> or other information, shall not be used against the witness<\/span> in any criminal proceeding except a prosecution<\/span> for perjury<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWARNINGS GIVEN TO WITNESSES; WHEN WITNESS IN CONTEMPT; USE OF TESTIMONY\nCOMPELLED AFTER WITNESS INVOKES RIGHT AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION (\u00a7 19.2-215.7)\n\nA. Every witness testifying before a multi-jurisdiction grand jury shall be\nwarned by special counsel or by the foreman of the grand jury that he need not\nanswer any question that would tend to incriminate him, and that he may later be\ncalled upon to testify in any case that may result from the grand jury\nproceedings.\n\nB. A witness who has been called to testify or produce evidence before a\nmulti-jurisdiction grand jury, and who refuses to testify or produce evidence by\nexpressly invoking his right not to incriminate himself, may be compelled to\ntestify or produce evidence by the presiding judge. A witness who refuses to\ntestify or produce evidence after being ordered to do so by the presiding judge\nmay be held in contempt and may be incarcerated until the contempt is purged by\ncompliance with the order.\n\nC. When a witness is compelled to testify or produce evidence after expressly\ninvoking his right not to incriminate himself, and the presiding judge has\ndetermined that the assertion of the right is bona fide, the compelled\ntestimony, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony\nor other information, shall not be used against the witness in any criminal\nproceeding except a prosecution for perjury.\n\nHISTORY: 1983, c. 543.","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}}