{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-231.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-231.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-231.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-231.html"}],"law_id":69961,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69961,"structure_id":16062,"section_number":"53.1-231","catch_line":"Investigation of cases for executive clemency by Parole Board","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-229; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 2025, c. 12.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Virginia Parole Board shall, at the request of the Governor, investigate and report to the Governor on cases in which executive clemency is sought. In any other case in which it believes action on the part of the Governor is proper or in the best interest of the Commonwealth, the Board may investigate and report to the Governor with its recommendations.B\n\nUpon request by the Virginia Parole Board related to an investigation and report conducted pursuant to this section and except to the extent otherwise permitted by law, all public bodies engaged in criminal law-enforcement activities shall provide copies of the following records:1\n\nUnredacted criminal investigative files, defined as any documents and information including complaints, court orders, memoranda, notes, incident reports, officers’ field summary reports, diagrams, maps, photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, correspondence, narrative reports, witness statements, victim statements, the identification of witnesses and victims and their personal identifying information, prosecution files, photo lineups, and evidence relating to a criminal investigation or prosecution regardless of the juvenile status of the victim, witness, or suspect;2\n\nAn attorney for the Commonwealth’s prosecution files;3\n\nRecords of any call for service or other communication to an emergency 911 system or communication with any other equivalent reporting system;4\n\nAdult and juvenile arrestee photographs taken during the initial intake following the arrest and as part of the routine booking procedure;5\n\nInformation relative to the identity of any individual, to include a juvenile and his personal identifying information, who is arrested and charged, and the status of the charge or arrest; and6\n\nSealed presentence investigation reports.C\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of law, records of any general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, or circuit court and the Department of Forensic Science shall be subject to the provisions of this section.D\n\nRecords requested from any public body engaged in criminal law-enforcement activities, including any court or state or local government agency, pursuant to this section shall be provided to the Virginia Parole Board at no cost.E\n\nThe public body must respond to a request for records made pursuant to this section within 30 working days of receiving the request. If it is not practically possible to provide the requested records or to determine whether they are available within 30 days, such response shall specify the conditions that make a response impossible and the amount of additional time needed to satisfy the request.F\n\nRecords obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be excluded from mandatory public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) as working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 2.2-3705.7.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":252772,"text":"The Virginia Parole Board shall, at the request of the Governor, investigate and report to the Governor on cases in which executive clemency is sought. In any other case in which it believes action on the part of the Governor is proper or in the best interest of the Commonwealth, the Board may investigate and report to the Governor with its recommendations.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":252773,"text":"Upon request by the Virginia Parole Board related to an investigation and report conducted pursuant to this section and except to the extent otherwise permitted by law, all public bodies engaged in criminal law-enforcement activities shall provide copies of the following records:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":252774,"text":"Unredacted criminal investigative files, defined as any documents and information including complaints, court orders, memoranda, notes, incident reports, officers’ field summary reports, diagrams, maps, photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, correspondence, narrative reports, witness statements, victim statements, the identification of witnesses and victims and their personal identifying information, prosecution files, photo lineups, and evidence relating to a criminal investigation or prosecution regardless of the juvenile status of the victim, witness, or suspect;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":252775,"text":"An attorney for the Commonwealth’s prosecution files;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":252776,"text":"Records of any call for service or other communication to an emergency 911 system or communication with any other equivalent reporting system;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":252777,"text":"Adult and juvenile arrestee photographs taken during the initial intake following the arrest and as part of the routine booking procedure;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":252778,"text":"Information relative to the identity of any individual, to include a juvenile and his personal identifying information, who is arrested and charged, and the status of the charge or arrest; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":252779,"text":"Sealed presentence investigation reports.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":252780,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, records of any general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, or circuit court and the Department of Forensic Science shall be subject to the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":252781,"text":"Records requested from any public body engaged in criminal law-enforcement activities, including any court or state or local government agency, pursuant to this section shall be provided to the Virginia Parole Board at no cost.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"10":{"id":252782,"text":"The public body must respond to a request for records made pursuant to this section within 30 working days of receiving the request. If it is not practically possible to provide the requested records or to determine whether they are available within 30 days, such response shall specify the conditions that make a response impossible and the amount of additional time needed to satisfy the request.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"11":{"id":252783,"text":"Records obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be excluded from mandatory public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) as working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 2.2-3705.7.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16062,"edition_id":1,"name":"Executive Clemency","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:04:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:04:58","permalink":{"id":237795,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16062,"identifier":"12","token":"53.1\/12","url":"\/53.1\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","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":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83764,"structure_id":16062,"section_number":"53.1-229","catch_line":"Powers vested in Governor","url":"\/53.1-229\/","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-229","metadata":false},{"id":63112,"structure_id":16062,"section_number":"53.1-230","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-230\/","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-230","metadata":false},{"id":69961,"structure_id":16062,"section_number":"53.1-231","catch_line":"Investigation of cases for executive clemency by Parole Board","url":"\/53.1-231\/","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-231","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63112,"structure_id":16062,"section_number":"53.1-230","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-230\/","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-230","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-231\/","history_text":"

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 1970, chapter 648; in 1982, chapter 636; in 2025, chapter 12<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"},{"id":79544,"section_number":"2.2-3705.7","catch_line":"Exclusions to application of chapter; records of specific public bodies and certain other limited exclusions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3705.7\/"}],"permalink":{"id":237805,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69961,"identifier":"53.1-231","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-231","url":"\/53.1-231\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-231\/","token":"53.1\/12\/53.1-231","dublin_core":{"Title":"Investigation of cases for executive clemency by Parole Board","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-231","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Virginia Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> shall, at the request of the Governor, investigate and report to the Governor on cases in which executive clemency is sought. In any other case in which it believes action on the part of the Governor is proper or in the best interest of the Commonwealth, the Board<\/span> may investigate and report to the Governor with its recommendations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon request by the Virginia Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> related to an investigation and report conducted pursuant to this section and except to the extent otherwise permitted by law<\/span>, all public bodies engaged in criminal law<\/span>-enforcement activities shall provide copies of the following records: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Unredacted criminal investigative files, defined as any documents and information including complaints, court orders<\/span>, memoranda, notes, incident reports, officers’ field summary reports, diagrams, maps, photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, correspondence, narrative reports, witness<\/span> statements, victim statements, the identification of witnesses and victims and their personal identifying information, prosecution<\/span> files, photo lineups<\/span>, and evidence<\/span> relating to a criminal investigation or prosecution<\/span> regardless of the juvenile status of the victim, witness<\/span>, or suspect; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> An attorney for the Commonwealth’s prosecution<\/span> files; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Records of any call for service or other communication to an emergency 911 system or communication with any other equivalent reporting system; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Adult and juvenile arrestee photographs taken during the initial intake following the arrest<\/span> and as part of the routine booking procedure; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Information relative to the identity of any individual, to include a juvenile and his personal identifying information, who is arrested and charged, and the status of the charge or arrest<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Sealed<\/span> presentence investigation reports. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, records of any general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, or circuit<\/span> court and the Department<\/span> of Forensic Science shall be subject to the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Records requested from any public body engaged in criminal law<\/span>-enforcement activities, including any court or state or local government agency, pursuant to this section shall be provided to the Virginia Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> at no cost. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The public body must respond to a request for records made pursuant to this section within 30 working days of receiving the request. If it is not practically possible to provide the requested records or to determine whether they are available within 30 days, such response shall specify the conditions that make a response impossible and the amount of additional time needed to satisfy the request. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Records obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be excluded from mandatory public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.) as working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 2.2-3705.7<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINVESTIGATION OF CASES FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY BY PAROLE BOARD (\u00a7 53.1-231)\n\nA. The Virginia Parole Board shall, at the request of the Governor, investigate\nand report to the Governor on cases in which executive clemency is sought. In\nany other case in which it believes action on the part of the Governor is proper\nor in the best interest of the Commonwealth, the Board may investigate and\nreport to the Governor with its recommendations.\n\nB. Upon request by the Virginia Parole Board related to an investigation and\nreport conducted pursuant to this section and except to the extent otherwise\npermitted by law, all public bodies engaged in criminal law-enforcement\nactivities shall provide copies of the following records:\n\n 1. Unredacted criminal investigative files, defined as any documents and\n information including complaints, court orders, memoranda, notes, incident\n reports, officers’ field summary reports, diagrams, maps, photographs,\n video recordings, audio recordings, correspondence, narrative reports, witness\n statements, victim statements, the identification of witnesses and victims and\n their personal identifying information, prosecution files, photo lineups, and\n evidence relating to a criminal investigation or prosecution regardless of the\n juvenile status of the victim, witness, or suspect;\n\n 2. An attorney for the Commonwealth’s prosecution files;\n\n 3. Records of any call for service or other communication to an emergency 911\n system or communication with any other equivalent reporting system;\n\n 4. Adult and juvenile arrestee photographs taken during the initial intake\n following the arrest and as part of the routine booking procedure;\n\n 5. Information relative to the identity of any individual, to include a\n juvenile and his personal identifying information, who is arrested and\n charged, and the status of the charge or arrest; and\n\n 6. Sealed presentence investigation reports.\n\nC. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, records of any general district\ncourt, juvenile and domestic relations district court, or circuit court and the\nDepartment of Forensic Science shall be subject to the provisions of this\nsection.\n\nD. Records requested from any public body engaged in criminal law-enforcement\nactivities, including any court or state or local government agency, pursuant to\nthis section shall be provided to the Virginia Parole Board at no cost.\n\nE. The public body must respond to a request for records made pursuant to this\nsection within 30 working days of receiving the request. If it is not\npractically possible to provide the requested records or to determine whether\nthey are available within 30 days, such response shall specify the conditions\nthat make a response impossible and the amount of additional time needed to\nsatisfy the request.\n\nF. Records obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be excluded\nfrom mandatory public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act\n(§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) as working papers and correspondence of the Office of\nthe Governor pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 2.2-3705.7.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-229; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 2025, c. 12.","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}}