{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-77.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-77.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-77.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-77.html"}],"law_id":61047,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61047,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-77","catch_line":"Escape, flight and pursuit; arrest anywhere in Commonwealth","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-94; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1992, c. 881; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2022, c. 326.","full_text":"Whenever a person in the custody of an officer shall escape or whenever a person shall flee from an officer attempting to arrest him, such officer, with or without a warrant, may pursue such person anywhere in the Commonwealth and, when actually in close pursuit, may arrest him wherever he is found. If the arrest is made in a county or city adjoining that from which the accused fled, or in any area of the Commonwealth within one mile of the boundary of the county or city from which he fled, the officer may forthwith return the accused before the proper official of the county or city from which he fled. If the arrest is made beyond the foregoing limits, the officer shall proceed according to the provisions of \u00a7 19.2-76, and if such arrest is made without a warrant, the officer shall procure a warrant from the magistrate serving the county or city wherein the arrest was made, charging the accused with the offense committed in the county or city from which he fled and any offense committed during the close pursuit in the county or city where such offense was committed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":223222,"text":"Whenever a person in the custody of an officer shall escape or whenever a person shall flee from an officer attempting to arrest him, such officer, with or without a warrant, may pursue such person anywhere in the Commonwealth and, when actually in close pursuit, may arrest him wherever he is found. If the arrest is made in a county or city adjoining that from which the accused fled, or in any area of the Commonwealth within one mile of the boundary of the county or city from which he fled, the officer may forthwith return the accused before the proper official of the county or city from which he fled. If the arrest is made beyond the foregoing limits, the officer shall proceed according to the provisions of \u00a7 19.2-76, and if such arrest is made without a warrant, the officer shall procure a warrant from the magistrate serving the county or city wherein the arrest was made, charging the accused with the offense committed in the county or city from which he fled and any offense committed during the close pursuit in the county or city where such offense was committed.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13638,"edition_id":1,"name":"Arrest","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:27","permalink":{"id":170919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13638,"identifier":"7","token":"19.2\/7","url":"\/19.2\/7\/","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":57792,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-71","catch_line":"Who may issue process of arrest","url":"\/19.2-71\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-71","metadata":false},{"id":56060,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-72","catch_line":"When it may issue; what to recite and require","url":"\/19.2-72\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-72","metadata":false},{"id":62110,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-73","catch_line":"Issuance of summons instead of warrant in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-73\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-73","metadata":false},{"id":70049,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-73.1","catch_line":"Notice of issuance of warrant or summons; appearance; failure to appear","url":"\/19.2-73.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-73.1","metadata":false},{"id":83253,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-73.2","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officers to issue subpoenas; penalty","url":"\/19.2-73.2\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-73.2","metadata":false},{"id":57508,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-74","catch_line":"Issuance and service of summons in place of warrant in misdemeanor case; issuance of summons by special conservators of the peace","url":"\/19.2-74\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-74","metadata":false},{"id":68524,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-74.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-74.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-74.1","metadata":false},{"id":79219,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-75","catch_line":"Copy of process to be left with accused; exception","url":"\/19.2-75\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-75","metadata":false},{"id":80529,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-76","catch_line":"Execution and return of warrant, capias or summons; arrest outside county or city where charge is to be tried","url":"\/19.2-76\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-76","metadata":false},{"id":68951,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-76.1","catch_line":"Submission of quarterly reports concerning unexecuted felony and misdemeanor warrants and other criminal process; destruction; dismissal","url":"\/19.2-76.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-76.1","metadata":false},{"id":66460,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-76.2","catch_line":"Mailing of summons in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-76.2\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-76.2","metadata":false},{"id":83631,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-76.3","catch_line":"Failure to appear on return date for summons issued under \u00a7 19.2-76.2","url":"\/19.2-76.3\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-76.3","metadata":false},{"id":61047,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-77","catch_line":"Escape, flight and pursuit; arrest anywhere in Commonwealth","url":"\/19.2-77\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-77","metadata":false},{"id":85927,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-78","catch_line":"Uniform of officer making arrest","url":"\/19.2-78\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-78","metadata":false},{"id":79468,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-79","catch_line":"Arrest by officers of other states of United States","url":"\/19.2-79\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-79","metadata":false},{"id":66672,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-80","catch_line":"Duty of arresting officer; bail","url":"\/19.2-80\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-80","metadata":false},{"id":60845,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-80.1","catch_line":"When arrested person operating motor vehicle; how vehicle removed from scene of arrest","url":"\/19.2-80.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-80.1","metadata":false},{"id":81296,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-80.2","catch_line":"Duty of arresting officer; providing magistrate or court with criminal history information","url":"\/19.2-80.2\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-80.2","metadata":false},{"id":60675,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81","catch_line":"Arrest without warrant authorized in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-81\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81","metadata":false},{"id":62476,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.1","catch_line":"Arrest without warrant by correctional officers in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-81.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.1","metadata":false},{"id":62627,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.2","catch_line":"Power of correctional officers and designated noncustodial employees to detain","url":"\/19.2-81.2\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.2","metadata":false},{"id":86739,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.3","catch_line":"Arrest without a warrant authorized in cases of assault and battery against a family or household member and stalking and for violations of protective orders; procedure, etc","url":"\/19.2-81.3\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.3","metadata":false},{"id":55203,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-81.4\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.4","metadata":false},{"id":55495,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.5","catch_line":"Cooperation with a law-enforcement officer","url":"\/19.2-81.5\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.5","metadata":false},{"id":72697,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-81.6","catch_line":"Authority of law-enforcement officers to arrest illegal aliens","url":"\/19.2-81.6\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-81.6","metadata":false},{"id":61276,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-82","catch_line":"Procedure upon arrest without warrant","url":"\/19.2-82\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-82","metadata":false},{"id":56295,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-82.1","catch_line":"Giving false identity to law-enforcement officer; penalty","url":"\/19.2-82.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-82.1","metadata":false},{"id":84938,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-83","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-83\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-83","metadata":false},{"id":78541,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-83.1","catch_line":"Report of arrest of school employees and adult students for certain offenses","url":"\/19.2-83.1\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-83.1","metadata":false},{"id":54610,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-83.2","catch_line":"Jail officer to ascertain citizenship of inmate","url":"\/19.2-83.2\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-83.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83631,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-76.3","catch_line":"Failure to appear on return date for summons issued under \u00a7 19.2-76.2","url":"\/19.2-76.3\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-76.3","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85927,"structure_id":13638,"section_number":"19.2-78","catch_line":"Uniform of officer making arrest","url":"\/19.2-78\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-78","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-77\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1992, chapter 881; in 2008, chapters 551<\/a> and 691<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 326<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"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\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":80529,"section_number":"19.2-76","catch_line":"Execution and return of warrant, capias or summons; arrest outside county or city where charge is to be tried","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-76\/"}],"permalink":{"id":170969,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61047,"identifier":"19.2-77","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-77","url":"\/19.2-77\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-77\/","token":"19.2\/7\/19.2-77","dublin_core":{"Title":"Escape, flight and pursuit; arrest anywhere in Commonwealth","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-77","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Whenever a person in the custody<\/span> of an officer shall escape or whenever a person shall flee from an officer attempting to arrest<\/span> him, such officer, with or without a warrant, may pursue such person anywhere in the Commonwealth and, when actually in close pursuit, may arrest<\/span> him wherever he is found. If the arrest<\/span> is made in a county or city adjoining that from which the accused<\/span> fled, or in any area of the Commonwealth within one mile of the boundary of the county or city from which he fled, the officer may forthwith return the accused<\/span> before the proper official of the county or city from which he fled. If the arrest<\/span> is made beyond the foregoing limits, the officer shall proceed according to the provisions of \u00a7 19.2-76<\/a>, and if such arrest<\/span> is made without a warrant, the officer shall procure a warrant from the magistrate<\/span> serving the county or city wherein the arrest<\/span> was made, charging the accused<\/span> with the offense<\/span> committed in the county or city from which he fled and any offense<\/span> committed during the close pursuit in the county or city where such offense<\/span> was committed.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nESCAPE, FLIGHT AND PURSUIT; ARREST ANYWHERE IN COMMONWEALTH (\u00a7 19.2-77)\n\nWhenever a person in the custody of an officer shall escape or whenever a person\nshall flee from an officer attempting to arrest him, such officer, with or\nwithout a warrant, may pursue such person anywhere in the Commonwealth and, when\nactually in close pursuit, may arrest him wherever he is found. If the arrest is\nmade in a county or city adjoining that from which the accused fled, or in any\narea of the Commonwealth within one mile of the boundary of the county or city\nfrom which he fled, the officer may forthwith return the accused before the\nproper official of the county or city from which he fled. If the arrest is made\nbeyond the foregoing limits, the officer shall proceed according to the\nprovisions of \u00a7 19.2-76, and if such arrest is made without a warrant, the\nofficer shall procure a warrant from the magistrate serving the county or city\nwherein the arrest was made, charging the accused with the offense committed in\nthe county or city from which he fled and any offense committed during the close\npursuit in the county or city where such offense was committed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-94; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1992, c. 881; 2008,\ncc. 551, 691; 2022, c. 326.","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}}