{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-301.html"}],"law_id":65087,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65087,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-301","catch_line":"Judge shall require examination under \u00a7 19.2-300; by whom made; report; expenses of psychiatrist","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-278.3; 1950, p. 898; 1970, c. 62; 1975, cc. 286, 495; 1990, c. 697; 2002, c. 662; 2003, c. 886; 2007, c. 440; 2009, cc. 813, 840.","full_text":"The judge shall order the defendant examined by at least one psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified by specialized training and experience to perform such evaluations. Upon a finding by the court that a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is not reasonably available for the instant case, the court may appoint a state licensed clinical social worker who has been certified by the Commonwealth as a sex offender treatment provider as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3600 and qualified by experience and by specialized training approved by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to perform such evaluations. The examination shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a mental health facility or in jail. However, if the court specifically finds that outpatient examination services are unavailable or if the results of outpatient examination indicate that hospitalization of the defendant for further examination is necessary, the court may order the defendant sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for examination of persons convicted of crimes. The defendant shall then be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate examination, but not to exceed 30 days from the date of admission to the hospital. Upon completion of the examination, the examiners shall prepare a written report of their findings and conclusions and shall furnish copies of such report to the defendant, counsel for the defendant, and the attorney for the Commonwealth at least five days prior to sentencing and shall furnish a copy of the report to the judge in advance of the sentencing hearing. The report of the examiners shall at all times be kept confidential by each recipient, except to the extent necessary for the prosecution or defense of any offense, and shall be filed as part of the record in the case and the defendant&#8217;s copy shall be returned to the court at the conclusion of sentencing. Any report so filed shall be sealed upon the entry of the sentencing order by the court and made available only by court order, except that such report or copies thereof shall be available at any time to the office of the Attorney General for assessment for civil commitment as provided in Chapter 9 (\u00a7 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2; any criminal justice agency, as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101, of this or any other state or of the United States; to any agency where the accused is referred for treatment by the court or by probation and parole services; and to counsel for any person who has been indicted jointly for the same felony as the person who is the subject of the report. Any such report shall without court order be made available to counsel for the person who is the subject of the report if that person is charged with a felony subsequent to the time of the preparation of the report.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":236885,"text":"The judge shall order the defendant examined by at least one psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified by specialized training and experience to perform such evaluations. Upon a finding by the court that a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is not reasonably available for the instant case, the court may appoint a state licensed clinical social worker who has been certified by the Commonwealth as a sex offender treatment provider as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3600 and qualified by experience and by specialized training approved by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to perform such evaluations. The examination shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a mental health facility or in jail. However, if the court specifically finds that outpatient examination services are unavailable or if the results of outpatient examination indicate that hospitalization of the defendant for further examination is necessary, the court may order the defendant sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for examination of persons convicted of crimes. The defendant shall then be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate examination, but not to exceed 30 days from the date of admission to the hospital. Upon completion of the examination, the examiners shall prepare a written report of their findings and conclusions and shall furnish copies of such report to the defendant, counsel for the defendant, and the attorney for the Commonwealth at least five days prior to sentencing and shall furnish a copy of the report to the judge in advance of the sentencing hearing. The report of the examiners shall at all times be kept confidential by each recipient, except to the extent necessary for the prosecution or defense of any offense, and shall be filed as part of the record in the case and the defendant&#8217;s copy shall be returned to the court at the conclusion of sentencing. Any report so filed shall be sealed upon the entry of the sentencing order by the court and made available only by court order, except that such report or copies thereof shall be available at any time to the office of the Attorney General for assessment for civil commitment as provided in Chapter 9 (\u00a7 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2; any criminal justice agency, as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101, of this or any other state or of the United States; to any agency where the accused is referred for treatment by the court or by probation and parole services; and to counsel for any person who has been indicted jointly for the same felony as the person who is the subject of the report. Any such report shall without court order be made available to counsel for the person who is the subject of the report if that person is charged with a felony subsequent to the time of the preparation of the report.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14013,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14012,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:36","permalink":{"id":169443,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14013,"identifier":"1","token":"19.2\/18\/1","url":"\/19.2\/18\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14012,"edition_id":1,"name":"Sentence; Judgment; Execution of Sentence","identifier":"18","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:36","permalink":{"id":169441,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14012,"identifier":"18","token":"19.2\/18","url":"\/19.2\/18\/","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":58209,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-295","catch_line":"Ascertainment of punishment","url":"\/19.2-295\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-295","metadata":false},{"id":67916,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-295.1","catch_line":"Sentencing proceeding by the jury after conviction","url":"\/19.2-295.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-295.1","metadata":false},{"id":60349,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-295.2","catch_line":"Probation of felons sentenced for offenses committed on and after January 1, 1995, and on and after July 1, 2000","url":"\/19.2-295.2\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-295.2","metadata":false},{"id":86676,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-295.2:1","catch_line":"Postrelease incarceration of felons sentenced for certain offenses committed on or after July 1, 2006","url":"\/19.2-295.2_1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-295.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":65204,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-295.3","catch_line":"Admission of victim impact testimony","url":"\/19.2-295.3\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-295.3","metadata":false},{"id":85451,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-296","catch_line":"Withdrawal of plea of guilty","url":"\/19.2-296\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-296","metadata":false},{"id":78707,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-297","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-297\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-297","metadata":false},{"id":56020,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-297.1","catch_line":"Sentence of person twice previously convicted of certain violent felonies","url":"\/19.2-297.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-297.1","metadata":false},{"id":74004,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-298","catch_line":"Pronouncement of sentence","url":"\/19.2-298\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-298","metadata":false},{"id":64383,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-298.01","catch_line":"Use of discretionary sentencing guidelines","url":"\/19.2-298.01\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-298.01","metadata":false},{"id":82939,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-298.02","catch_line":"Deferred disposition in a criminal case","url":"\/19.2-298.02\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-298.02","metadata":false},{"id":72885,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-298.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-298.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-298.1","metadata":false},{"id":75041,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-299","catch_line":"Investigations and reports by probation officers in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-299\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-299","metadata":false},{"id":67741,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-299.1","catch_line":"When Victim Impact Statement required; contents; uses","url":"\/19.2-299.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-299.1","metadata":false},{"id":71480,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-299.2","catch_line":"Alcohol and substance abuse screening and assessment for designated Class 1 misdemeanor convictions","url":"\/19.2-299.2\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-299.2","metadata":false},{"id":56093,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-299.3","catch_line":"Report of arrest and conviction of school employees by probation and parole officers for certain offenses","url":"\/19.2-299.3\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-299.3","metadata":false},{"id":64531,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-300","catch_line":"Deferring for mental examination sentence of person convicted of offense indicating sexual abnormality","url":"\/19.2-300\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-300","metadata":false},{"id":65087,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-301","catch_line":"Judge shall require examination under \u00a7 19.2-300; by whom made; report; expenses of psychiatrist","url":"\/19.2-301\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-301","metadata":false},{"id":59002,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-302","catch_line":"Construction and administration of \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-300 and 19.2-301","url":"\/19.2-302\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-302","metadata":false},{"id":63915,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303","catch_line":"Suspension or modification of sentence; probation; taking of fingerprints and blood, saliva, or tissue sample as condition of probation","url":"\/19.2-303\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303","metadata":false},{"id":64740,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.01","catch_line":"Reduction of sentence; substantial assistance to prosecution","url":"\/19.2-303.01\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.01","metadata":false},{"id":74000,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.02","catch_line":"Modification of conditions of suspended sentence or probation to require fingerprinting","url":"\/19.2-303.02\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.02","metadata":false},{"id":74432,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.1","catch_line":"Fixing period of suspension of sentence","url":"\/19.2-303.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.1","metadata":false},{"id":55101,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.2","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense may be placed on probation","url":"\/19.2-303.2\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.2","metadata":false},{"id":70874,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.3","catch_line":"Sentence to local community-based probation services; services agency; requirements for participation; sentencing; and removal from probation; payment of costs towards supervision and services","url":"\/19.2-303.3\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.3","metadata":false},{"id":63262,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.4","catch_line":"Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation","url":"\/19.2-303.4\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.4","metadata":false},{"id":84397,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.5","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/19.2-303.5\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.5","metadata":false},{"id":73653,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-303.6","catch_line":"Deferred disposition in a criminal case; persons with autism or intellectual disabilities","url":"\/19.2-303.6\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-303.6","metadata":false},{"id":71283,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-304","catch_line":"Increasing or decreasing probation period and modification of conditions","url":"\/19.2-304\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-304","metadata":false},{"id":75628,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-305","catch_line":"Requiring fines, costs, restitution for damages, support, or community services from probationer","url":"\/19.2-305\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-305","metadata":false},{"id":82621,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-305.1","catch_line":"Restitution for property damage or loss; community service","url":"\/19.2-305.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-305.1","metadata":false},{"id":59341,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-305.2","catch_line":"Amount of restitution; enforcement","url":"\/19.2-305.2\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-305.2","metadata":false},{"id":64153,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-305.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-305.3\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-305.3","metadata":false},{"id":85689,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-305.4","catch_line":"When interest to be paid on award of restitution","url":"\/19.2-305.4\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-305.4","metadata":false},{"id":66441,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-306","catch_line":"Revocation of suspension of sentence and probation","url":"\/19.2-306\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-306","metadata":false},{"id":85808,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-306.1","catch_line":"Limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-306.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-306.1","metadata":false},{"id":85846,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-306.2","catch_line":"Use of sentencing revocation report and discretionary sentencing guidelines in cases of revocation of suspension of sentence and probation","url":"\/19.2-306.2\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-306.2","metadata":false},{"id":56424,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-307","catch_line":"Contents of judgment order","url":"\/19.2-307\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-307","metadata":false},{"id":78445,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-308","catch_line":"When two or more sentences run concurrently","url":"\/19.2-308\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-308","metadata":false},{"id":79069,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-308.1","catch_line":"When sentence may run concurrently with sentence in another jurisdiction","url":"\/19.2-308.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-308.1","metadata":false},{"id":86121,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-309","catch_line":"Sentence of confinement for conviction of a combination of felony and misdemeanor offenses","url":"\/19.2-309\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-309","metadata":false},{"id":63077,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-309.1","catch_line":"Sentence of confinement to jail farms maintained by the Cities of Danville, Martinsville and Newport News","url":"\/19.2-309.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-309.1","metadata":false},{"id":63650,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-310","catch_line":"Transfer of prisoners to custody of Director of Department of Corrections","url":"\/19.2-310\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-310","metadata":false},{"id":65167,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-310.01","catch_line":"Transmission of sentencing documents","url":"\/19.2-310.01\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-310.01","metadata":false},{"id":80141,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-310.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-310.1\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-310.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64531,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-300","catch_line":"Deferring for mental examination sentence of person convicted of offense indicating sexual abnormality","url":"\/19.2-300\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-300","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59002,"structure_id":14013,"section_number":"19.2-302","catch_line":"Construction and administration of \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-300 and 19.2-301","url":"\/19.2-302\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-301\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1970, chapter 62; in 1975, chapters 286 and 495; in 1990, chapter 697; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0662\">662<\/a>; in 2003, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0886\">886<\/a>; in 2007, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0440\">440<\/a>; in 2009, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0813\">813<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0840\">840<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59943,"section_number":"19.2-175","catch_line":"Compensation of experts","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-175\/"},{"id":64531,"section_number":"19.2-300","catch_line":"Deferring for mental examination sentence of person convicted of offense indicating sexual abnormality","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-300\/"},{"id":59002,"section_number":"19.2-302","catch_line":"Construction and administration of \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-300 and 19.2-301","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-302\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55224,"section_number":"37.2-900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-900\/"},{"id":79319,"section_number":"54.1-3600","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3600\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":169513,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65087,"identifier":"19.2-301","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-301","url":"\/19.2-301\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-301\/","token":"19.2\/18\/1\/19.2-301","dublin_core":{"Title":"Judge shall require examination under \u00a7 19.2-300; by whom made; report; expenses of psychiatrist","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> shall order the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> examined by at least one psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified by specialized training and experience to perform such evaluations. Upon a <span class=\"dictionary\">finding<\/span> by the court that a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is not reasonably available for the instant case, the court may appoint a state licensed clinical social worker who has been certified by the Commonwealth as a sex offender treatment provider as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/54.1-3600\/\">54.1-3600<\/a> and qualified by experience and by specialized training approved by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to perform such evaluations. The examination shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a mental health facility or in jail. However, if the court specifically finds that outpatient examination services are unavailable or if the results of outpatient examination indicate that hospitalization of the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> for further examination is necessary, the court may order the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> sent to a hospital designated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as appropriate for examination of persons convicted of <span class=\"dictionary\">crimes<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> shall then be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems necessary to perform an adequate examination, but not to exceed 30 days from the date of admission to the hospital. Upon completion of the examination, the examiners shall prepare a written report of their <span class=\"dictionary\">findings<\/span> and conclusions and shall furnish copies of such report to the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span>, and the attorney for the Commonwealth at least five days prior to sentencing and shall furnish a copy of the report to the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> in advance of the sentencing <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span>. The report of the examiners shall at all times be kept confidential by each recipient, except to the extent necessary for the <span class=\"dictionary\">prosecution<\/span> or defense of any <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>, and shall be filed as part of the record in the case and the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span>&#8217;s copy shall be returned to the court at the conclusion of sentencing. Any report so filed shall be <span class=\"dictionary\">sealed<\/span> upon the entry of the sentencing order by the court and made available only by <span class=\"dictionary\">court order<\/span>, except that such report or copies thereof shall be available at any time to the office of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> for assessment for civil commitment as provided in Chapter 9 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/37.2-900\/\">37.2-900<\/a> et seq.) of Title 37.2; any criminal justice agency, as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions\" href=\"\/9.1-101\/\">9.1-101<\/a>, of this or any other state or of the United States; to any agency where the <span class=\"dictionary\">accused<\/span> is referred for treatment by the court or by <span class=\"dictionary\">probation<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">parole<\/span> services; and to <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> for any person who has been indicted jointly for the same <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> as the person who is the subject of the report. Any such report shall without <span class=\"dictionary\">court order<\/span> be made available to <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span> for the person who is the subject of the report if that person is charged with a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span> subsequent to the time of the preparation of the report.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nJUDGE SHALL REQUIRE EXAMINATION UNDER \u00a7 19.2-300; BY WHOM MADE; REPORT;\nEXPENSES OF PSYCHIATRIST (\u00a7 19.2-301)\n\nThe judge shall order the defendant examined by at least one psychiatrist or\nclinical psychologist who is qualified by specialized training and experience to\nperform such evaluations. Upon a finding by the court that a psychiatrist or\nclinical psychologist is not reasonably available for the instant case, the\ncourt may appoint a state licensed clinical social worker who has been certified\nby the Commonwealth as a sex offender treatment provider as defined in \u00a7\n54.1-3600 and qualified by experience and by specialized training approved by\nthe Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to perform such\nevaluations. The examination shall be performed on an outpatient basis at a\nmental health facility or in jail. However, if the court specifically finds that\noutpatient examination services are unavailable or if the results of outpatient\nexamination indicate that hospitalization of the defendant for further\nexamination is necessary, the court may order the defendant sent to a hospital\ndesignated by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services\nas appropriate for examination of persons convicted of crimes. The defendant\nshall then be hospitalized for such time as the director of the hospital deems\nnecessary to perform an adequate examination, but not to exceed 30 days from the\ndate of admission to the hospital. Upon completion of the examination, the\nexaminers shall prepare a written report of their findings and conclusions and\nshall furnish copies of such report to the defendant, counsel for the defendant,\nand the attorney for the Commonwealth at least five days prior to sentencing and\nshall furnish a copy of the report to the judge in advance of the sentencing\nhearing. The report of the examiners shall at all times be kept confidential by\neach recipient, except to the extent necessary for the prosecution or defense of\nany offense, and shall be filed as part of the record in the case and the\ndefendant&#8217;s copy shall be returned to the court at the conclusion of\nsentencing. Any report so filed shall be sealed upon the entry of the sentencing\norder by the court and made available only by court order, except that such\nreport or copies thereof shall be available at any time to the office of the\nAttorney General for assessment for civil commitment as provided in Chapter 9\n(\u00a7 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2; any criminal justice agency, as defined in\n\u00a7 9.1-101, of this or any other state or of the United States; to any agency\nwhere the accused is referred for treatment by the court or by probation and\nparole services; and to counsel for any person who has been indicted jointly for\nthe same felony as the person who is the subject of the report. Any such report\nshall without court order be made available to counsel for the person who is the\nsubject of the report if that person is charged with a felony subsequent to the\ntime of the preparation of the report.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-278.3; 1950, p. 898; 1970, c. 62; 1975, cc. 286, 495;\n1990, c. 697; 2002, c. 662; 2003, c. 886; 2007, c. 440; 2009, cc. 813, 840.","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}}