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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55210</law_id><section_number>16.1-247</section_number><catch_line>Duties of person taking child into custody</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-245</reference><reference>16.1-248.1</reference><reference>16.1-250</reference><reference>16.1-254</reference><reference>19.2-123</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Immediate Custody, Arrest, Detention and Shelter Care</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is open, shall, with all practicable speed, and in accordance with the provisions of <span class="dictionary">this law</span> and the <span class="dictionary">orders</span> of court pursuant thereto, bring the child to <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or arresting officer shall, in the most expeditious manner practicable, give notice of the action taken, together with a statement of the reasons for taking the child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, orally or in writing to the child&#x2019;s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis. <a id="paragraph-202414" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection B, C, or D of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is open, shall, with all practicable speed, and in accordance with the provisions of <span class="dictionary">this law</span> and the <span class="dictionary">orders</span> of court pursuant thereto: <a id="paragraph-202415" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child to such child&#x2019;s parents, guardian, custodian or other suitable person able and willing to provide supervision and care for such child and <span class="dictionary">issue</span> oral <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> and warning as may be appropriate; or <a id="paragraph-202416" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Release the child to such child&#x2019;s parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis upon their promise to bring the child before <span class="dictionary">the court</span> when requested; or <a id="paragraph-202417" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If not released, bring the child to <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and, in the most expeditious manner practicable, give notice of the action taken, together with a statement of the reasons for taking the child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, in writing to <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span>, and <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or arresting officer shall give notice of the action taken orally or in writing to the child&#x2019;s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis. Nothing herein shall prevent the child from being held for the purpose of administering a blood or breath test to determine the alcoholic content of his blood where the child has been taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>. <a id="paragraph-202418" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsections E and F of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is open, shall, with all practicable speed and in accordance with the provisions of <span class="dictionary">this law</span> and the <span class="dictionary">orders</span> of court pursuant thereto: <a id="paragraph-202419" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child to the institution, facility or home from which he ran away or escaped; or <a id="paragraph-202420" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If not released, bring the child to <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and, in the most expeditious manner practicable, give notice of the action taken, together with a statement of the reasons for taking the child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, in writing to <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span>, and <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or arresting officer shall give notice of the action taken orally or in writing to the institution, facility or home in which the child had been placed and orally or in writing to the child&#x2019;s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis. <a id="paragraph-202421" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not open, shall with all practicable speed and in accordance with the provisions of <span class="dictionary">this law</span> and the <span class="dictionary">orders</span> of court pursuant thereto: <a id="paragraph-202422" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to a warrant on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> pursuant to Chapter 9 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/19.2-119/">19.2-119</a> et seq.) of Title 19.2; or <a id="paragraph-202423" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Place the child in a <span class="dictionary">detention home</span> or in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span>; or <a id="paragraph-202424" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Place the child in a <span class="dictionary">jail</span> subject to the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Places of confinement for juveniles" href="/16.1-249/">16.1-249</a>. <a id="paragraph-202425" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection B, C, or D of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a> during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not open, shall: <a id="paragraph-202426" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child pursuant to the provisions of subdivision B 1 or B 2 of this section; or <a id="paragraph-202427" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Release the child on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> pursuant to Chapter 9 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/19.2-119/">19.2-119</a> et seq.) of Title 19.2; or <a id="paragraph-202428" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Place the child taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a> in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> after the issuance of a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile" href="/16.1-255/">16.1-255</a>; or <a id="paragraph-202429" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Place the child taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to subsection C or D of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a> in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> or in a <span class="dictionary">detention home</span> after the issuance of a warrant by a <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span>; or <a id="paragraph-202430" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Place the child in a <span class="dictionary">jail</span> subject to the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Places of confinement for juveniles" href="/16.1-249/">16.1-249</a> after the issuance of a warrant by a <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> or after the issuance of a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile" href="/16.1-255/">16.1-255</a>; or <a id="paragraph-202431" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> In addition to any other provisions of this subsection, <span class="dictionary">detain</span> the child for a reasonably necessary period of time in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to administer a breath or blood test to determine the alcohol content of his blood, if such child was taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a>. <a id="paragraph-202432" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#E6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection E of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not open, shall: <a id="paragraph-202433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child to the institution or facility from which he ran away or escaped; or <a id="paragraph-202434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#F1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Detain</span> the child in a <span class="dictionary">detention home</span> or in a <span class="dictionary">jail</span> subject to the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Places of confinement for juveniles" href="/16.1-249/">16.1-249</a> after the issuance of a warrant by a <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> or after the issuance of a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile" href="/16.1-255/">16.1-255</a>. <a id="paragraph-202435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#F2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> A person taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection F of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a>, during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not open, shall: <a id="paragraph-202436" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Release the child to the facility or home from which he ran away; or <a id="paragraph-202437" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#G1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Detain</span> the child in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> after the issuance of a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile" href="/16.1-255/">16.1-255</a> or after the issuance of a warrant by a <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span>. <a id="paragraph-202438" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#G2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> If a parent, guardian or other custodian fails, when requested, to bring the child before <span class="dictionary">the court</span> as provided in subdivisions B 2 and E 1, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> directing that the child be taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> and be brought before <span class="dictionary">the court</span>. <a id="paragraph-202439" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> A law-enforcement officer taking a child into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection G of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a> shall notify the <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> of the <span class="dictionary">juvenile court</span> of the action taken. The <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> shall determine if the child&#x2019;s conduct or situation is within the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and if a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> should be filed on behalf of the child. If the <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> determines that a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> should not be filed, <span class="dictionary">the law</span>-enforcement officer shall as soon as practicable: <a id="paragraph-202440" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Return the child to his home; <a id="paragraph-202441" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#I1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Release the child to such child&#x2019;s parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis; <a id="paragraph-202442" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#I2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Place the child in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> for a period not longer than 24 hours after the issuance of a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile" href="/16.1-255/">16.1-255</a>; or <a id="paragraph-202443" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#I3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Release the child.
				During the period of detention authorized by this subsection no child shall be confined in any <span class="dictionary">detention home</span>, <span class="dictionary">jail</span> or other facility for the detention of <span class="dictionary">adults</span>. <a id="paragraph-202444" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#I4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="J"><p><span class="prefix-number">J.</span> If a child is taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to the provisions of subsection B, F, or G of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and how child may be taken into immediate custody" href="/16.1-246/">16.1-246</a> by a law-enforcement officer during such hours as <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not in session and the child is not released or transferred to a facility or institution in accordance with subsection E, G, or I of this section, the child shall be held in <span class="dictionary">custody</span> only so long as is reasonably necessary to complete identification, investigation and processing. The child shall be held under visual supervision in a nonlocked, multipurpose area which is not designated for residential use. The child shall not be handcuffed or otherwise secured to a stationary <span class="dictionary">object</span>. <a id="paragraph-202445" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#J"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="K"><p><span class="prefix-number">K.</span> When an <span class="dictionary">adult</span> is taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> pursuant to a warrant, detention <span class="dictionary">order</span>, or <span class="dictionary">capias</span> alleging a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> committed when he was a juvenile, he may be released on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> pursuant to Chapter 9 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/19.2-119/">19.2-119</a> et seq.) of Title 19.2. An <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> shall have the authority to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">capias</span> for an <span class="dictionary">adult</span> under the age of 21 who is alleged to have committed, before attaining the age of 18, an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> that would be a <span class="dictionary">crime</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>. <a id="paragraph-202446" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-247/#K"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 16.1-197; 1956, c. 550; 1958, c. 344; 1973, c. 440; 1974, c. 584; 1975, c. 248; 1977, c. 559; 1978, c. 643; 1979, c. 701; 1984, c. 567; 1992, cc. 728, 830; 2004, cc. 415, 439; 2012, c. 253; 2016, c. 626.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
