{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/20-115.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/20-115.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/20-115.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/20-115.html"}],"law_id":66046,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66046,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-115","catch_line":"Commitment and sentence for failure to comply with order or decree","history":"1942, p. 639; Michie Code 1942, \u00a7 5111a; 1975, c. 644; 1991, c. 698; 1995, c. 428.","full_text":"Upon failure or refusal to give the recognizance provided for in \u00a7 20-114, or upon conviction of any party for contempt of court in (i) failing or refusing to comply with any order or decree for support and maintenance for a spouse or for a child or children or (ii) willfully failing or refusing to comply with any order entered pursuant to \u00a7 20-103 or \u00a7 20-107.3, the court (i) may commit and sentence such party to a local correctional facility as provided for in \u00a7 20-61 and (ii) may assign the party to a work release program pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-131 or to perform public service work; in either event the assignment shall be for a fixed or indeterminate period or until the further order of the court. However, in no event shall commitment or work assignment be for more than twelve months. The sum or sums as provided for in \u00a7 20-63, shall be paid as therein set forth, to be used for the support and maintenance of the spouse or the child or children for whose benefit such order or decree provided.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":239973,"text":"Upon failure or refusal to give the recognizance provided for in \u00a7 20-114, or upon conviction of any party for contempt of court in (i) failing or refusing to comply with any order or decree for support and maintenance for a spouse or for a child or children or (ii) willfully failing or refusing to comply with any order entered pursuant to \u00a7 20-103 or \u00a7 20-107.3, the court (i) may commit and sentence such party to a local correctional facility as provided for in \u00a7 20-61 and (ii) may assign the party to a work release program pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-131 or to perform public service work; in either event the assignment shall be for a fixed or indeterminate period or until the further order of the court. However, in no event shall commitment or work assignment be for more than twelve months. The sum or sums as provided for in \u00a7 20-63, shall be paid as therein set forth, to be used for the support and maintenance of the spouse or the child or children for whose benefit such order or decree provided.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12712,"edition_id":1,"name":"Divorce, Affirmation and Annulment","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12711,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":178931,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12712,"identifier":"6","token":"20\/6","url":"\/20\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12711,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":178075,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12711,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":69694,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-100","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-100\/","token":"20\/6\/20-100","metadata":false},{"id":85663,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-101","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-101\/","token":"20\/6\/20-101","metadata":false},{"id":78351,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-102","catch_line":"When not necessary to allege or prove offer of reconciliation","url":"\/20-102\/","token":"20\/6\/20-102","metadata":false},{"id":84768,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-103","catch_line":"Court may make orders pending suit for divorce, custody or visitation, etc","url":"\/20-103\/","token":"20\/6\/20-103","metadata":false},{"id":70919,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-104","catch_line":"Order of publication against nonresident defendant","url":"\/20-104\/","token":"20\/6\/20-104","metadata":false},{"id":59840,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-104.1","catch_line":"Orders of publication may be combined","url":"\/20-104.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-104.1","metadata":false},{"id":86285,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-105","catch_line":"Permissible form for orders of publication","url":"\/20-105\/","token":"20\/6\/20-105","metadata":false},{"id":72909,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-105.1","catch_line":"Alternative procedures","url":"\/20-105.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-105.1","metadata":false},{"id":79519,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-106","catch_line":"Testimony may be required to be given orally; evidence by affidavit","url":"\/20-106\/","token":"20\/6\/20-106","metadata":false},{"id":66535,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-107","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-107\/","token":"20\/6\/20-107","metadata":false},{"id":72435,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-107.1","catch_line":"Court may decree as to maintenance and support of spouses","url":"\/20-107.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-107.1","metadata":false},{"id":60714,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-107.1:1","catch_line":"Court may decree as to maintenance of life insurance policy","url":"\/20-107.1_1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-107.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":59975,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-107.2","catch_line":"Court may decree as to custody and support of children","url":"\/20-107.2\/","token":"20\/6\/20-107.2","metadata":false},{"id":69531,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-107.3","catch_line":"Court may decree as to property and debts of the parties","url":"\/20-107.3\/","token":"20\/6\/20-107.3","metadata":false},{"id":75906,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-108","catch_line":"Revision and alteration of such decrees","url":"\/20-108\/","token":"20\/6\/20-108","metadata":false},{"id":86162,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-108.1","catch_line":"Determination of child or spousal support","url":"\/20-108.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-108.1","metadata":false},{"id":78437,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-108.2","catch_line":"Guideline for determination of child support; quadrennial review by Child Support Guidelines Review Panel; executive summary","url":"\/20-108.2\/","token":"20\/6\/20-108.2","metadata":false},{"id":53938,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-109","catch_line":"Changing maintenance and support for a spouse; effect of stipulations as to maintenance and support for a spouse; cessation upon cohabitation, remarriage, or death; effect of retirement","url":"\/20-109\/","token":"20\/6\/20-109","metadata":false},{"id":73881,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-109.1","catch_line":"Affirmation, ratification and incorporation by reference in decree of agreement between parties","url":"\/20-109.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-109.1","metadata":false},{"id":78343,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-110","catch_line":"Maintenance and support for a spouse to cease on remarriage","url":"\/20-110\/","token":"20\/6\/20-110","metadata":false},{"id":56256,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-111","catch_line":"Decree of divorce from bond of matrimony extinguishes contingent property rights","url":"\/20-111\/","token":"20\/6\/20-111","metadata":false},{"id":79932,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-111.1","catch_line":"Revocation of death benefits by divorce or annulment","url":"\/20-111.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-111.1","metadata":false},{"id":80489,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-112","catch_line":"Notice when proceedings reopened","url":"\/20-112\/","token":"20\/6\/20-112","metadata":false},{"id":66604,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-113","catch_line":"Procedure when respondent fails to perform order for support and maintenance of child or spouse or owes support and maintenance or additional support and maintenance","url":"\/20-113\/","token":"20\/6\/20-113","metadata":false},{"id":73222,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-114","catch_line":"Recognizance for compliance with order or decree","url":"\/20-114\/","token":"20\/6\/20-114","metadata":false},{"id":66046,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-115","catch_line":"Commitment and sentence for failure to comply with order or decree","url":"\/20-115\/","token":"20\/6\/20-115","metadata":false},{"id":54704,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-116","catch_line":"Effect of divorce from bed and board and what court may decree","url":"\/20-116\/","token":"20\/6\/20-116","metadata":false},{"id":82954,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-117","catch_line":"Divorce from bond of matrimony after divorce from bed and board","url":"\/20-117\/","token":"20\/6\/20-117","metadata":false},{"id":79255,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-118","catch_line":"Prohibition of remarriage pending appeal from divorce decree; certain marriages validated","url":"\/20-118\/","token":"20\/6\/20-118","metadata":false},{"id":84439,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-119","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-119\/","token":"20\/6\/20-119","metadata":false},{"id":83952,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-120","catch_line":"Revocation of decree from bed and board","url":"\/20-120\/","token":"20\/6\/20-120","metadata":false},{"id":82889,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121","catch_line":"Merger of decree for divorce from bed and board with decree for divorce from bond of matrimony","url":"\/20-121\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121","metadata":false},{"id":71713,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.01","catch_line":"Decree of divorce from bonds of matrimony without decree from bed and board","url":"\/20-121.01\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.01","metadata":false},{"id":86231,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.02","catch_line":"Decree of divorce without amended bill or amended cross-bill","url":"\/20-121.02\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.02","metadata":false},{"id":59482,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.03","catch_line":"Identifying information confidential; separate addendum","url":"\/20-121.03\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.03","metadata":false},{"id":72590,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.1","catch_line":"Reinstatement of suit","url":"\/20-121.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.1","metadata":false},{"id":80991,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.2","catch_line":"Validation of absolute divorce granted where no decree from bed and board","url":"\/20-121.2\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.2","metadata":false},{"id":82422,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.3","catch_line":"Validation of certain divorces granted prior to April 23, 1962","url":"\/20-121.3\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.3","metadata":false},{"id":62175,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-121.4","catch_line":"Restoration of former name","url":"\/20-121.4\/","token":"20\/6\/20-121.4","metadata":false},{"id":68639,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-122","catch_line":"Advertising offer to obtain divorces","url":"\/20-122\/","token":"20\/6\/20-122","metadata":false},{"id":65664,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-123","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-123\/","token":"20\/6\/20-123","metadata":false},{"id":82012,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-124","catch_line":"Sequestration of record","url":"\/20-124\/","token":"20\/6\/20-124","metadata":false},{"id":72384,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-89","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-89\/","token":"20\/6\/20-89","metadata":false},{"id":78456,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-89.1","catch_line":"Suit to annul marriage","url":"\/20-89.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-89.1","metadata":false},{"id":77176,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-90","catch_line":"Suit to affirm marriage","url":"\/20-90\/","token":"20\/6\/20-90","metadata":false},{"id":82064,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-91","catch_line":"Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony; contents of decree","url":"\/20-91\/","token":"20\/6\/20-91","metadata":false},{"id":72418,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-92","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-92\/","token":"20\/6\/20-92","metadata":false},{"id":70318,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-93","catch_line":"Insanity of guilty party after commencement of desertion no defense","url":"\/20-93\/","token":"20\/6\/20-93","metadata":false},{"id":54956,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-94","catch_line":"Effect of cohabitation after knowledge of adultery, sodomy or buggery; lapse of five years","url":"\/20-94\/","token":"20\/6\/20-94","metadata":false},{"id":84107,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-95","catch_line":"Grounds for divorces from bed and board","url":"\/20-95\/","token":"20\/6\/20-95","metadata":false},{"id":78621,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-96","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of suits for annulment, affirmance or divorce","url":"\/20-96\/","token":"20\/6\/20-96","metadata":false},{"id":71732,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-96.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-96.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":84801,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-97","catch_line":"Domicile and residential requirements for suits for annulment, affirmance, or divorce","url":"\/20-97\/","token":"20\/6\/20-97","metadata":false},{"id":87223,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-98","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-98\/","token":"20\/6\/20-98","metadata":false},{"id":58423,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-99","catch_line":"How such suits instituted and conducted; costs","url":"\/20-99\/","token":"20\/6\/20-99","metadata":false},{"id":73767,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-99.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-99.1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-99.1","metadata":false},{"id":84506,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-99.1:1","catch_line":"How defendant may accept service; waive service","url":"\/20-99.1_1\/","token":"20\/6\/20-99.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":64766,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-99.2","catch_line":"Service in divorce and annulment cases","url":"\/20-99.2\/","token":"20\/6\/20-99.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73222,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-114","catch_line":"Recognizance for compliance with order or decree","url":"\/20-114\/","token":"20\/6\/20-114","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54704,"structure_id":12712,"section_number":"20-116","catch_line":"Effect of divorce from bed and board and what court may decree","url":"\/20-116\/","token":"20\/6\/20-116","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-115\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1975, chapter 644; in 1991, chapter 698; in 1995, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?951+ful+CHAP0428\">428<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61778,"section_number":"16.1-278.16","catch_line":"Failure to comply with support obligation; payroll deduction; commitment","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.16\/"},{"id":66604,"section_number":"20-113","catch_line":"Procedure when respondent fails to perform order for support and maintenance of child or spouse or owes support and maintenance or additional support and maintenance","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-113\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84768,"section_number":"20-103","catch_line":"Court may make orders pending suit for divorce, custody or visitation, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-103\/"},{"id":69531,"section_number":"20-107.3","catch_line":"Court may decree as to property and debts of the parties","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-107.3\/"},{"id":73222,"section_number":"20-114","catch_line":"Recognizance for compliance with order or decree","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-114\/"},{"id":68962,"section_number":"20-61","catch_line":"Desertion or nonsupport of wife, husband or children in necessitous circumstances","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-61\/"},{"id":66099,"section_number":"20-63","catch_line":"Support payments by county or city","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-63\/"},{"id":73492,"section_number":"53.1-131","catch_line":"Provision for release of prisoner from confinement for employment, educational or other rehabilitative programs; escape; penalty; disposition of earnings","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-131\/"}],"permalink":{"id":179033,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66046,"identifier":"20-115","token":"20\/6\/20-115","url":"\/20-115\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-115\/","token":"20\/6\/20-115","dublin_core":{"Title":"Commitment and sentence for failure to comply with order or decree","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-115","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Upon failure or refusal to give the <span class=\"dictionary\">recognizance<\/span> provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Recognizance for compliance with order or decree\" href=\"\/20-114\/\">20-114<\/a>, or upon <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> of any <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> for <span class=\"dictionary\">contempt of court<\/span> in (i) failing or refusing to comply with any <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">decree<\/span> for support and maintenance for a spouse or for a child or children or (ii) willfully failing or refusing to comply with any <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> entered pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Court may make orders pending suit for divorce, custody or visitation, etc\" href=\"\/20-103\/\">20-103<\/a> or \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Court may decree as to property and debts of the parties\" href=\"\/20-107.3\/\">20-107.3<\/a>, the court (i) may commit and sentence such <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to a local correctional facility as provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Desertion or nonsupport of wife, husband or children in necessitous circumstances\" href=\"\/20-61\/\">20-61<\/a> and (ii) may assign the <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to a work release program pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Provision for release of prisoner from confinement for employment, educational or other rehabilitative programs; escape; penalty; disposition of earnings\" href=\"\/53.1-131\/\">53.1-131<\/a> or to perform public service work; in either event the assignment shall be for a fixed or indeterminate period or until the further <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> of the court. However, in no event shall commitment or work assignment be for more than twelve months. The sum or sums as provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Support payments by county or city\" href=\"\/20-63\/\">20-63<\/a>, shall be paid as therein set forth, to be used for the support and maintenance of the spouse or the child or children for whose benefit such <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">decree<\/span> provided.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMMITMENT AND SENTENCE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER OR DECREE (\u00a7 20-115)\n\nUpon failure or refusal to give the recognizance provided for in \u00a7 20-114, or\nupon conviction of any party for contempt of court in (i) failing or refusing to\ncomply with any order or decree for support and maintenance for a spouse or for\na child or children or (ii) willfully failing or refusing to comply with any\norder entered pursuant to \u00a7 20-103 or \u00a7 20-107.3, the court (i) may commit and\nsentence such party to a local correctional facility as provided for in \u00a7 20-61\nand (ii) may assign the party to a work release program pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-131\nor to perform public service work; in either event the assignment shall be for a\nfixed or indeterminate period or until the further order of the court. However,\nin no event shall commitment or work assignment be for more than twelve months.\nThe sum or sums as provided for in \u00a7 20-63, shall be paid as therein set forth,\nto be used for the support and maintenance of the spouse or the child or\nchildren for whose benefit such order or decree provided.\n\nHISTORY: 1942, p. 639; Michie Code 1942, \u00a7 5111a; 1975, c. 644; 1991, c. 698;\n1995, c. 428.","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}}