{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-52.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-52.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-52.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-52.html"}],"law_id":68842,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68842,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-52","catch_line":"When search warrant may issue","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-83; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1986, c. 636; 2017, cc. 623, 673.","full_text":"Except as provided in \u00a7 19.2-56.1, search warrants, based upon complaint on oath supported by an affidavit as required in \u00a7 19.2-54, may be issued by any judge, magistrate or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants, if he be satisfied from such complaint and affidavit that there is reasonable and probable cause for the issuance of such search warrant.\n\t\tAn application for a search warrant to withdraw blood from a person suspected of violating \u00a7 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, 18.2-272, 29.1-738, 29.1-738.02, or 46.2-341.24 shall be given priority over any pending matters not involving an imminent risk to another’s health or safety before such judge, magistrate, or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":249212,"text":"Except as provided in \u00a7 19.2-56.1, search warrants, based upon complaint on oath supported by an affidavit as required in \u00a7 19.2-54, may be issued by any judge, magistrate or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants, if he be satisfied from such complaint and affidavit that there is reasonable and probable cause for the issuance of such search warrant.\n\t\tAn application for a search warrant to withdraw blood from a person suspected of violating \u00a7 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, 18.2-272, 29.1-738, 29.1-738.02, or 46.2-341.24 shall be given priority over any pending matters not involving an imminent risk to another’s health or safety before such judge, magistrate, or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15295,"edition_id":1,"name":"Search Warrants","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:43","permalink":{"id":170799,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15295,"identifier":"5","token":"19.2\/5","url":"\/19.2\/5\/","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":68842,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-52","catch_line":"When search warrant may issue","url":"\/19.2-52\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-52","metadata":false},{"id":58231,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-53","catch_line":"What may be searched and seized","url":"\/19.2-53\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-53","metadata":false},{"id":72318,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-53.1","catch_line":"Taking blood samples pursuant to search warrant; immunity","url":"\/19.2-53.1\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-53.1","metadata":false},{"id":78769,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-54","catch_line":"Affidavit preliminary to issuance of search warrant; general search warrant prohibited; effect of failure to file affidavit","url":"\/19.2-54\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-54","metadata":false},{"id":77621,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-55","catch_line":"Issuing general search warrant or search warrant without affidavit deemed malfeasance","url":"\/19.2-55\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-55","metadata":false},{"id":71614,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-56","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) To whom search warrant directed; what it shall command; warrant to show date and time of issuance; copy of affidavit to be part of warrant and served therewith; warrants not executed within 15 days","url":"\/19.2-56\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-56","metadata":false},{"id":66575,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-56.1","catch_line":"Warrant issued for search of attorney's office","url":"\/19.2-56.1\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-56.1","metadata":false},{"id":68042,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-56.2","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of search warrant for a tracking device; installation and use","url":"\/19.2-56.2\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-56.2","metadata":false},{"id":66408,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-57","catch_line":"Execution and return of warrant; list of property seized","url":"\/19.2-57\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-57","metadata":false},{"id":82680,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-58","catch_line":"Disposition of property seized","url":"\/19.2-58\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-58","metadata":false},{"id":84564,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-59","catch_line":"Search without warrant prohibited; when search without warrant lawful","url":"\/19.2-59\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-59","metadata":false},{"id":73054,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-59.1","catch_line":"Strip searches prohibited; exceptions; how strip searches conducted","url":"\/19.2-59.1\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-59.1","metadata":false},{"id":59469,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-60","catch_line":"Motion for return of seized property and to suppress","url":"\/19.2-60\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-60","metadata":false},{"id":82227,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-60.1","catch_line":"Use of unmanned aircraft systems by public bodies; search warrant required","url":"\/19.2-60.1\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-60.1","metadata":false},{"id":66247,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-60.2","catch_line":"Issuance of search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process for information related to menstrual health data prohibited","url":"\/19.2-60.2\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-60.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":58231,"structure_id":15295,"section_number":"19.2-53","catch_line":"What may be searched and seized","url":"\/19.2-53\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-53","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-52\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1960, chapter 366; in 1975, chapter 495; in 1986, chapter 636; in 2017, chapters 623<\/a> and 673<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78195,"section_number":"15.2-1723.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1723.2\/"},{"id":64157,"section_number":"19.2-44","catch_line":"Territorial jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-44\/"},{"id":60251,"section_number":"19.2-45","catch_line":"Powers enumerated","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-45\/"},{"id":56012,"section_number":"19.2-70.3","catch_line":"Obtaining records concerning electronic communication service or remote computing service","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-70.3\/"},{"id":80452,"section_number":"23.1-815","catch_line":"Campus police forces and auxiliary police forces; powers and duties; jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-815\/"},{"id":71082,"section_number":"23.1-815.1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-815.1\/"},{"id":84652,"section_number":"29.1-567","catch_line":"Penalties; authority of conservation police officers and police officers; disposition of property seized","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-567\/"},{"id":87495,"section_number":"29.1-576","catch_line":"Authority for inspection; warrants","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-576\/"},{"id":67943,"section_number":"3.2-706","catch_line":"Authority for inspections; warrants","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-706\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67410,"section_number":"18.2-266","catch_line":"Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-266\/"},{"id":63203,"section_number":"18.2-266.1","catch_line":"Persons under age 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-266.1\/"},{"id":70219,"section_number":"18.2-272","catch_line":"Driving after forfeiture of license","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-272\/"},{"id":78769,"section_number":"19.2-54","catch_line":"Affidavit preliminary to issuance of search warrant; general search warrant prohibited; effect of failure to file affidavit","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-54\/"},{"id":66575,"section_number":"19.2-56.1","catch_line":"Warrant issued for search of attorney's office","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-56.1\/"},{"id":87020,"section_number":"29.1-738","catch_line":"Operating boat or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner or while intoxicated, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-738\/"},{"id":60518,"section_number":"29.1-738.02","catch_line":"Persons under age twenty-one operating watercraft after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-738.02\/"},{"id":67312,"section_number":"46.2-341.24","catch_line":"Driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-341.24\/"}],"permalink":{"id":170801,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68842,"identifier":"19.2-52","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-52","url":"\/19.2-52\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-52\/","token":"19.2\/5\/19.2-52","dublin_core":{"Title":"When search warrant may issue","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-52","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Except as provided in \u00a7 19.2-56.1<\/a>, search warrants<\/span>, based upon complaint on oath<\/span> supported by an affidavit<\/span> as required in \u00a7 19.2-54<\/a>, may be issued by any judge<\/span>, magistrate<\/span> or other person having authority to issue<\/span> criminal warrants, if he be satisfied from such complaint and affidavit<\/span> that there is reasonable and probable cause<\/span> for the issuance of such search warrant<\/span>.\n\t\tAn application for a search warrant<\/span> to withdraw blood from a person suspected of violating \u00a7 18.2-266<\/a>, 18.2-266.1<\/a>, 18.2-272<\/a>, 29.1-738<\/a>, 29.1-738.02<\/a>, or 46.2-341.24<\/a> shall be given priority over any pending matters not involving an imminent risk to another’s health or safety before such judge<\/span>, magistrate<\/span>, or other person having authority to issue<\/span> criminal warrants.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN SEARCH WARRANT MAY ISSUE (\u00a7 19.2-52)\n\nExcept as provided in \u00a7 19.2-56.1, search warrants, based upon complaint on\noath supported by an affidavit as required in \u00a7 19.2-54, may be issued by any\njudge, magistrate or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants,\nif he be satisfied from such complaint and affidavit that there is reasonable\nand probable cause for the issuance of such search warrant.\n\t\tAn application for a search warrant to withdraw blood from a person suspected\nof violating \u00a7 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, 18.2-272, 29.1-738, 29.1-738.02, or\n46.2-341.24 shall be given priority over any pending matters not involving an\nimminent risk to another’s health or safety before such judge, magistrate,\nor other person having authority to issue criminal warrants.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-83; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1986, c. 636; 2017,\ncc. 623, 673.","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}}