{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/4.1-339.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/4.1-339.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/4.1-339.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/4.1-339.html"}],"law_id":58802,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58802,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-339","catch_line":"Search and seizure of conveyances or vehicles used in violation of law; arrests","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 4-56; 1954, c. 504; 1968, c. 763; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1973, c. 16; 1978, cc. 434, 436; 1981, c. 365; 1983, c. 271; 1984, c. 52; 1993, c. 866.","full_text":"A\n\nWhen any officer charged with the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage control laws of the Commonwealth has reason to believe that alcoholic beverages illegally acquired, or being illegally transported, are in any conveyance or vehicle of any kind, either on land or on water (except a conveyance or vehicle owned or operated by a railroad, express, sleeping or parlor car or steamboat company, other than barges, tugs or small craft), he shall obtain a search warrant and search such conveyance or vehicle. If illegally acquired alcoholic beverages or alcoholic beverages being illegally transported in amounts in excess of one quart or one liter if in a metric-sized container are found, the officer shall seize the alcoholic beverages, seize and take possession of such conveyance or vehicle, and deliver them to the chief law-enforcement officer of the locality in which such seizure was made, taking his receipt therefor in duplicate.B\n\nThe officer making such seizure shall also arrest all persons found in charge of such conveyance or vehicle and shall forthwith report in writing such seizure and arrest to the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which seizure and arrest were made.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":215444,"text":"When any officer charged with the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage control laws of the Commonwealth has reason to believe that alcoholic beverages illegally acquired, or being illegally transported, are in any conveyance or vehicle of any kind, either on land or on water (except a conveyance or vehicle owned or operated by a railroad, express, sleeping or parlor car or steamboat company, other than barges, tugs or small craft), he shall obtain a search warrant and search such conveyance or vehicle. If illegally acquired alcoholic beverages or alcoholic beverages being illegally transported in amounts in excess of one quart or one liter if in a metric-sized container are found, the officer shall seize the alcoholic beverages, seize and take possession of such conveyance or vehicle, and deliver them to the chief law-enforcement officer of the locality in which such seizure was made, taking his receipt therefor in duplicate.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":215445,"text":"The officer making such seizure shall also arrest all persons found in charge of such conveyance or vehicle and shall forthwith report in writing such seizure and arrest to the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which seizure and arrest were made.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14960,"edition_id":1,"name":"Procedural Matters","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14559,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:06","permalink":{"id":219189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14960,"identifier":"3","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3","url":"\/4.1\/I\/3\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14559,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prohibited Practices; Penalties; Procedural Matters","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13130,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:40","permalink":{"id":219023,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14559,"identifier":"3","token":"4.1\/I\/3","url":"\/4.1\/I\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13130,"edition_id":1,"name":"Alcoholic Beverage Control Act","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13129,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":218571,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13130,"identifier":"I","token":"4.1\/I","url":"\/4.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13129,"edition_id":1,"name":"Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control","identifier":"4.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":218569,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13129,"identifier":"4.1","token":"4.1","url":"\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61682,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-333","catch_line":"Interdiction of intoxicated driver","url":"\/4.1-333\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-333","metadata":false},{"id":62885,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-334","catch_line":"Interdiction for illegal manufacture, possession, transportation or sale of alcoholic beverages","url":"\/4.1-334\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-334","metadata":false},{"id":76671,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-335","catch_line":"Enjoining nuisances","url":"\/4.1-335\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-335","metadata":false},{"id":62214,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-336","catch_line":"Contraband beverages and other articles subject to forfeiture","url":"\/4.1-336\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-336","metadata":false},{"id":77750,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-337","catch_line":"Search warrants","url":"\/4.1-337\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-337","metadata":false},{"id":64242,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-338","catch_line":"Confiscation proceedings; disposition of forfeited articles","url":"\/4.1-338\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-338","metadata":false},{"id":58802,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-339","catch_line":"Search and seizure of conveyances or vehicles used in violation of law; arrests","url":"\/4.1-339\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-339","metadata":false},{"id":57073,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-340","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/4.1-340\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-340","metadata":false},{"id":68315,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-346","catch_line":"Contraband beverages","url":"\/4.1-346\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-346","metadata":false},{"id":64440,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-347","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/4.1-347\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-347","metadata":false},{"id":60010,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-348","catch_line":"Beverages not licensed under this subtitle","url":"\/4.1-348\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-348","metadata":false},{"id":61346,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-349","catch_line":"Punishment for violations of title or regulations; bond","url":"\/4.1-349\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-349","metadata":false},{"id":67956,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-350","catch_line":"Witness not excused from testifying because of self-incrimination","url":"\/4.1-350\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-350","metadata":false},{"id":67651,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-351","catch_line":"Previous convictions","url":"\/4.1-351\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-351","metadata":false},{"id":77074,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-352","catch_line":"Certificate of forensic scientist as evidence; requiring forensic scientist to appear","url":"\/4.1-352\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-352","metadata":false},{"id":80348,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-353","catch_line":"Label on sealed container prima facie evidence of alcoholic content","url":"\/4.1-353\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-353","metadata":false},{"id":69537,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-354","catch_line":"No recovery for alcoholic beverages illegally sold","url":"\/4.1-354\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-354","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64242,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-338","catch_line":"Confiscation proceedings; disposition of forfeited articles","url":"\/4.1-338\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-338","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57073,"structure_id":14960,"section_number":"4.1-340","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/4.1-340\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-340","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/4.1-339\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1954, chapter 504; in 1968, chapter 763; in 1973, chapter 16; in 1978, chapters 434 and 436; in 1981, chapter 365; in 1983, chapter 271; in 1984, chapter 52; in 1993, chapter 866.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63706,"section_number":"4.1-317","catch_line":"Maintaining common nuisances; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-317\/"},{"id":68315,"section_number":"4.1-346","catch_line":"Contraband beverages","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-346\/"},{"id":60010,"section_number":"4.1-348","catch_line":"Beverages not licensed under this subtitle","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-348\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":219215,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58802,"identifier":"4.1-339","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-339","url":"\/4.1-339\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/4.1-339\/","token":"4.1\/I\/3\/3\/4.1-339","dublin_core":{"Title":"Search and seizure of conveyances or vehicles used in violation of law; arrests","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 4.1-339","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> When any officer charged with the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage control laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth has reason to believe that alcoholic beverages<\/span> illegally acquired, or being illegally transported, are in any conveyance or vehicle of any kind, either on land or on water (except a conveyance or vehicle owned or operated by a railroad, express, sleeping or parlor car or steamboat company, other than barges, tugs or small craft), he shall obtain a search warrant<\/span> and search such conveyance or vehicle. If illegally acquired alcoholic beverages<\/span> or alcoholic beverages<\/span> being illegally transported in amounts in excess of one quart or one liter if in a metric-sized container<\/span> are found, the officer shall seize the alcoholic beverages<\/span>, seize and take possession<\/span> of such conveyance or vehicle, and deliver them to the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer of the locality in which such seizure was made, taking his receipt therefor in duplicate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The officer making such seizure shall also arrest<\/span> all persons found in charge of such conveyance or vehicle and shall forthwith report in writing such seizure and arrest<\/span> to the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which seizure and arrest<\/span> were made. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSEARCH AND SEIZURE OF CONVEYANCES OR VEHICLES USED IN VIOLATION OF LAW; ARRESTS\n(\u00a7 4.1-339)\n\nA. When any officer charged with the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage\ncontrol laws of the Commonwealth has reason to believe that alcoholic beverages\nillegally acquired, or being illegally transported, are in any conveyance or\nvehicle of any kind, either on land or on water (except a conveyance or vehicle\nowned or operated by a railroad, express, sleeping or parlor car or steamboat\ncompany, other than barges, tugs or small craft), he shall obtain a search\nwarrant and search such conveyance or vehicle. If illegally acquired alcoholic\nbeverages or alcoholic beverages being illegally transported in amounts in\nexcess of one quart or one liter if in a metric-sized container are found, the\nofficer shall seize the alcoholic beverages, seize and take possession of such\nconveyance or vehicle, and deliver them to the chief law-enforcement officer of\nthe locality in which such seizure was made, taking his receipt therefor in\nduplicate.\n\nB. The officer making such seizure shall also arrest all persons found in charge\nof such conveyance or vehicle and shall forthwith report in writing such seizure\nand arrest to the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county or city in which\nseizure and arrest were made.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 4-56; 1954, c. 504; 1968, c. 763; 1971, Ex. Sess., c.\n155; 1973, c. 16; 1978, cc. 434, 436; 1981, c. 365; 1983, c. 271; 1984, c. 52;\n1993, c. 866.","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}}