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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82885</law_id><section_number>15.2-1609</section_number><catch_line>Sheriff</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-1123.1</reference><reference>9.1-101</reference><reference>9.1-113</reference><reference>9.1-116</reference><reference>9.1-165</reference><reference>9.1-169</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Sheriff</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">voters</span> in every <span class="dictionary">county</span> and <span class="dictionary">city</span> shall elect a sheriff unless otherwise provided by general <span class="dictionary">law</span> or special act. The sheriff shall exercise all the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon sheriffs by general <span class="dictionary">law</span>. He shall enforce the <span class="dictionary">law</span> or see that it is enforced in the <span class="dictionary">locality</span> from which he is elected; assist in the judicial process as provided by general <span class="dictionary">law</span>; and be charged with the <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, feeding and care of all prisoners confined in the <span class="dictionary">county</span> or <span class="dictionary">city</span> jail. He may perform such other duties, not inconsistent with his office, as may be requested of him by the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span>. The sheriff shall be elected as provided by general <span class="dictionary">law</span> for a term of four years.</p></section></text><history>1997, c. 587.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
