{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-66.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-66.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-66.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-66.html"}],"law_id":70476,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70476,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-66","catch_line":"When Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for order authorizing interception of communications","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-89.6; 1973, c. 442; 1975, c. 495; 1976, c. 271; 1979, c. 602; 1982, cc. 40, 274; 1988, cc. 855, 889; 2002, cc. 588, 623; 2004, c. 122; 2005, c. 934; 2011, cc. 403, 414; 2013, cc. 448, 664.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General, if the Attorney General so designates in writing, in any case where the Attorney General is authorized by law to prosecute or pursuant to a request in his official capacity of an attorney for the Commonwealth in any city or county, may apply to a judge of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications by the Department of State Police, when such interception may reasonably be expected to provide evidence of the commission of a felonious offense of extortion, bribery, kidnapping, murder, any felony violation of § 18.2-248 or 18.2-248.1, any felony violation of Chapter 29 (§ 59.1-364 et seq.) of Title 59.1, any felony violation of Article 2 (§ 18.2-38 et seq.), Article 2.1 (§ 18.2-46.1 et seq.), Article 2.2 (§ 18.2-46.4 et seq.), Article 5 (§ 18.2-58 et seq.), Article 6 (§ 18.2-59 et seq.) or any felonies that are not Class 6 felonies in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or any conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses. The Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for authorization for the observation or monitoring of the interception by a police department of a county or city, by a sheriff’s office, or by law-enforcement officers of the United States. Such application shall be made, and such order may be granted, in conformity with the provisions of § 19.2-68.B\n\nThe application for an order under subsection B of \u00a7 19.2-68 shall be made as follows:1\n\nIn the case of an application for a wire or electronic interception, a judge of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order under subsection B of § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the person or persons whose communications are to be intercepted live, work, subscribe to a wire or electronic communication system, maintain an address or a post office box, or are making the communication within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.2\n\nIn the case of an application for an oral intercept, a judge of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order under subsection B of § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the physical location of the oral communication to be intercepted is within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.C\n\nFor the purposes of an order entered pursuant to subsection B of § 19.2-68 for the interception of a wire or electronic communication, such communication shall be deemed to be intercepted in the jurisdiction where the order is entered, regardless of the physical location or the method by which the communication is captured or routed to the monitoring location.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254337,"text":"The Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General, if the Attorney General so designates in writing, in any case where the Attorney General is authorized by law to prosecute or pursuant to a request in his official capacity of an attorney for the Commonwealth in any city or county, may apply to a judge of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications by the Department of State Police, when such interception may reasonably be expected to provide evidence of the commission of a felonious offense of extortion, bribery, kidnapping, murder, any felony violation of § 18.2-248 or 18.2-248.1, any felony violation of Chapter 29 (§ 59.1-364 et seq.) of Title 59.1, any felony violation of Article 2 (§ 18.2-38 et seq.), Article 2.1 (§ 18.2-46.1 et seq.), Article 2.2 (§ 18.2-46.4 et seq.), Article 5 (§ 18.2-58 et seq.), Article 6 (§ 18.2-59 et seq.) or any felonies that are not Class 6 felonies in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or any conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses. The Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for authorization for the observation or monitoring of the interception by a police department of a county or city, by a sheriff’s office, or by law-enforcement officers of the United States. Such application shall be made, and such order may be granted, in conformity with the provisions of § 19.2-68.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":254338,"text":"The application for an order under subsection B of \u00a7 19.2-68 shall be made as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":254339,"text":"In the case of an application for a wire or electronic interception, a judge of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order under subsection B of § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the person or persons whose communications are to be intercepted live, work, subscribe to a wire or electronic communication system, maintain an address or a post office box, or are making the communication within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":254340,"text":"In the case of an application for an oral intercept, a judge of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order under subsection B of § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the physical location of the oral communication to be intercepted is within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":254341,"text":"For the purposes of an order entered pursuant to subsection B of § 19.2-68 for the interception of a wire or electronic communication, such communication shall be deemed to be intercepted in the jurisdiction where the order is entered, regardless of the physical location or the method by which the communication is captured or routed to the monitoring location.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12802,"edition_id":1,"name":"Interception of Wire, Electronic or Oral Communications","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":170861,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12802,"identifier":"6","token":"19.2\/6","url":"\/19.2\/6\/","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":53969,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-61","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/19.2-61\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-61","metadata":false},{"id":60300,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-62","catch_line":"Interception, disclosure, etc., of wire, electronic or oral communications unlawful; penalties; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-62\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-62","metadata":false},{"id":63623,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63","catch_line":"Manufacture, possession, sale or advertising of certain devices unlawful; penalties; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-63\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63","metadata":false},{"id":87215,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63.1","catch_line":"Supervision and control of devices; unauthorized possession","url":"\/19.2-63.1\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63.1","metadata":false},{"id":67905,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-64","catch_line":"Forfeiture of unlawful devices","url":"\/19.2-64\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-64","metadata":false},{"id":79412,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-65","catch_line":"When intercepted communications and evidence derived therefrom not to be received in evidence","url":"\/19.2-65\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-65","metadata":false},{"id":70476,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-66","catch_line":"When Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for order authorizing interception of communications","url":"\/19.2-66\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-66","metadata":false},{"id":75148,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-67","catch_line":"Disclosure of information obtained by authorized means","url":"\/19.2-67\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-67","metadata":false},{"id":75660,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-68","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order authorizing interception; contents of order; recording and retention of intercepted communications, applications and orders; notice to parties; introduction in evidence of information obtained","url":"\/19.2-68\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-68","metadata":false},{"id":57482,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-69","catch_line":"Civil action for unlawful interception, disclosure, or use","url":"\/19.2-69\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-69","metadata":false},{"id":84369,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70","catch_line":"Reports to be filed by courts and Attorney General","url":"\/19.2-70\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70","metadata":false},{"id":72378,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.1","catch_line":"General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-70.1\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.1","metadata":false},{"id":80598,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.2","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order for a pen register or trap and trace device; assistance in installation and use","url":"\/19.2-70.2\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.2","metadata":false},{"id":56012,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.3","catch_line":"Obtaining records concerning electronic communication service or remote computing service","url":"\/19.2-70.3\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79412,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-65","catch_line":"When intercepted communications and evidence derived therefrom not to be received in evidence","url":"\/19.2-65\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-65","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75148,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-67","catch_line":"Disclosure of information obtained by authorized means","url":"\/19.2-67\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-67","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-66\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 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 442; in 1975, chapter 495; in 1976, chapter 271; in 1979, chapter 602; in 1982, chapters 40 and 274; in 1988, chapters 855 and 889; in 2002, chapters 588<\/a> and 623<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 122<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 934<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 403<\/a> and 414<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 448<\/a> and 664<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75148,"section_number":"19.2-67","catch_line":"Disclosure of information obtained by authorized means","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-67\/"},{"id":75660,"section_number":"19.2-68","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order authorizing interception; contents of order; recording and retention of intercepted communications, applications and orders; notice to parties; introduction in evidence of information obtained","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-68\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68693,"section_number":"18.2-248","catch_line":"Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance prohibited; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-248\/"},{"id":60632,"section_number":"18.2-248.1","catch_line":"Penalties for sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-248.1\/"},{"id":62588,"section_number":"18.2-38","catch_line":"\"Mob\" defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-38\/"},{"id":86583,"section_number":"18.2-46.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.1\/"},{"id":65851,"section_number":"18.2-46.4","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.4\/"},{"id":79704,"section_number":"18.2-58","catch_line":"Robbery; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-58\/"},{"id":72142,"section_number":"18.2-59","catch_line":"Extortion of money, property or pecuniary benefit","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-59\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":75660,"section_number":"19.2-68","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order authorizing interception; contents of order; recording and retention of intercepted communications, applications and orders; notice to parties; introduction in evidence of information obtained","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-68\/"},{"id":80702,"section_number":"59.1-364","catch_line":"Control of racing with pari-mutuel wagering","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-364\/"}],"permalink":{"id":170887,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70476,"identifier":"19.2-66","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-66","url":"\/19.2-66\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-66\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-66","dublin_core":{"Title":"When Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for order authorizing interception of communications","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-66","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Attorney General<\/span> or Chief Deputy Attorney General<\/span>, if the Attorney General<\/span> so designates in writing, in any case where the Attorney General<\/span> is authorized by law<\/span> to prosecute<\/span> or pursuant to a request in his official capacity of an attorney for the Commonwealth in any city or county, may apply to a judge of competent jurisdiction<\/span> for an order<\/span> authorizing the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications<\/span> by the Department of State Police, when such interception may reasonably be expected to provide evidence<\/span> of the commission of a felonious offense<\/span> of extortion, bribery, kidnapping, murder<\/span>, any felony<\/span> violation of § 18.2-248<\/a> or 18.2-248.1<\/a>, any felony<\/span> violation of Chapter 29 (§ 59.1-364<\/a> et seq.) of Title 59.1, any felony<\/span> violation of Article 2 (§ 18.2-38<\/a> et seq.), Article 2.1 (§ 18.2-46.1<\/a> et seq.), Article 2.2 (§ 18.2-46.4<\/a> et seq.), Article 5 (§ 18.2-58<\/a> et seq.), Article 6 (§ 18.2-59<\/a> et seq.) or any felonies that are not Class 6 felonies in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or any conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses<\/span>. The Attorney General<\/span> or Chief Deputy Attorney General<\/span> may apply for authorization for the observation or monitoring<\/span> of the interception by a police department of a county or city, by a sheriff’s office, or by law<\/span>-enforcement officers of the United States. Such application shall be made, and such order<\/span> may be granted, in conformity with the provisions of § 19.2-68<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The application for an order<\/span> under subsection B of \u00a7 19.2-68<\/a> shall be made as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In the case of an application for a wire or electronic interception, a judge of competent jurisdiction<\/span> shall have the authority to issue<\/span> an order<\/span> under subsection B of § 19.2-68<\/a> if there is probable cause<\/span> to believe that an offense<\/span> was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the person<\/span> or persons<\/span> whose communications are to be intercepted live, work, subscribe to a wire or electronic communication system<\/span>, maintain an address or a post office box, or are making the communication within the territorial jurisdiction of the court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In the case of an application for an oral intercept<\/span>, a judge of competent jurisdiction<\/span> shall have the authority to issue<\/span> an order<\/span> under subsection B of § 19.2-68<\/a> if there is probable cause<\/span> to believe that an offense<\/span> was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the physical location of the oral communication<\/span> to be intercepted is within the territorial jurisdiction of the court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For the purposes of an order<\/span> entered pursuant to subsection B of § 19.2-68<\/a> for the interception of a wire or electronic communication, such communication shall be deemed to be intercepted in the jurisdiction where the order<\/span> is entered, regardless of the physical location or the method by which the communication is captured or routed to the monitoring<\/span> location. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL OR CHIEF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY APPLY FOR ORDER\nAUTHORIZING INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS (\u00a7 19.2-66)\n\nA. The Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General, if the Attorney\nGeneral so designates in writing, in any case where the Attorney General is\nauthorized by law to prosecute or pursuant to a request in his official capacity\nof an attorney for the Commonwealth in any city or county, may apply to a judge\nof competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of wire,\nelectronic or oral communications by the Department of State Police, when such\ninterception may reasonably be expected to provide evidence of the commission of\na felonious offense of extortion, bribery, kidnapping, murder, any felony\nviolation of § 18.2-248 or 18.2-248.1, any felony violation of Chapter 29\n(§ 59.1-364 et seq.) of Title 59.1, any felony violation of Article 2\n(§ 18.2-38 et seq.), Article 2.1 (§ 18.2-46.1 et seq.), Article 2.2\n(§ 18.2-46.4 et seq.), Article 5 (§ 18.2-58 et seq.), Article 6\n(§ 18.2-59 et seq.) or any felonies that are not Class 6 felonies in\nArticle 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or any conspiracy\nto commit any of the foregoing offenses. The Attorney General or Chief Deputy\nAttorney General may apply for authorization for the observation or monitoring\nof the interception by a police department of a county or city, by a\nsheriff’s office, or by law-enforcement officers of the United States.\nSuch application shall be made, and such order may be granted, in conformity\nwith the provisions of § 19.2-68.\n\nB. The application for an order under subsection B of \u00a7 19.2-68 shall be made\nas follows:\n\n 1. In the case of an application for a wire or electronic interception, a\n judge of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order\n under subsection B of § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe\n that an offense was committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the\n person or persons whose communications are to be intercepted live, work,\n subscribe to a wire or electronic communication system, maintain an address or\n a post office box, or are making the communication within the territorial\n jurisdiction of the court.\n\n 2. In the case of an application for an oral intercept, a judge of competent\n jurisdiction shall have the authority to issue an order under subsection B of\n § 19.2-68 if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was\n committed, is being committed, or will be committed or the physical location\n of the oral communication to be intercepted is within the territorial\n jurisdiction of the court.\n\nC. For the purposes of an order entered pursuant to subsection B of §\n19.2-68 for the interception of a wire or electronic communication, such\ncommunication shall be deemed to be intercepted in the jurisdiction where the\norder is entered, regardless of the physical location or the method by which the\ncommunication is captured or routed to the monitoring location.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-89.6; 1973, c. 442; 1975, c. 495; 1976, c. 271;\n1979, c. 602; 1982, cc. 40, 274; 1988, cc. 855, 889; 2002, cc. 588, 623; 2004,\nc. 122; 2005, c. 934; 2011, cc. 403, 414; 2013, cc. 448, 664.","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}}