<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66525</law_id><section_number>16.1-248.1</section_number><catch_line>Criteria for detention or shelter care</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-248.2</reference><reference>16.1-248.3</reference><reference>16.1-249</reference><reference>16.1-250</reference><reference>16.1-254</reference><reference>16.1-256</reference><reference>16.1-260</reference><reference>66-13</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 juvenile taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> whose case is considered by a judge, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Duties of person taking child into custody" href="/16.1-247/">16.1-247</a> shall immediately be released, upon the ascertainment of the necessary <span class="dictionary">facts</span>, to the care, <span class="dictionary">custody</span> and control of such juvenile&#x2019;s parent, guardian, custodian or other suitable person able and willing to provide supervision and care for such juvenile, either on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> pursuant to Chapter 9 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/19.2-119/">19.2-119</a> et seq.) of Title 19.2 or under such conditions as may be imposed or otherwise. However, at any time prior to an <span class="dictionary">order</span> of final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, a juvenile may be detained in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span>, pursuant to a detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> or warrant, only upon a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> by <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span>, or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span>, that there is <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> to believe that the juvenile committed the act alleged, and that at least one of the following conditions is met: <a id="paragraph-241433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The juvenile is alleged to have (a) violated the terms of his <span class="dictionary">probation</span> or <span class="dictionary">parole</span> when the charge for which he was placed on <span class="dictionary">probation</span> or <span class="dictionary">parole</span> would have been a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>; (b) committed an act that would be a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>; or (c) violated any of the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty" href="/18.2-308.7/">18.2-308.7</a>, and there is clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that:
				a. Considering the seriousness of the current <span class="dictionary">offense</span> or <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> and other pending charges, the seriousness of prior adjudicated <span class="dictionary">offenses</span>, the legal status of the juvenile and any aggravating and <span class="dictionary">mitigating circumstances</span>, the liberty of the juvenile, constitutes a clear and substantial threat to the person or property of others;
				b. The liberty of the juvenile would present a clear and substantial threat of serious harm to such juvenile&#x2019;s life or health; or
				c. The juvenile has threatened to <span class="dictionary">abscond</span> from <span class="dictionary">the court</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> during the pendency of the instant proceedings or has a record of willful failure to appear at a court <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> within the immediately preceding 12 months. <a id="paragraph-241434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The juvenile has absconded from a <span class="dictionary">detention home</span> or facility where he has been directed to remain by the lawful <span class="dictionary">order</span> of a judge or <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span>. <a id="paragraph-241435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The juvenile is a fugitive from a <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> outside the Commonwealth and subject to a verified <span class="dictionary">petition</span> or warrant, in which case such juvenile may be detained for a period not to exceed that provided for in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Governor to execute; form of compact" href="/16.1-323/">16.1-323</a> while arrangements are made to return the juvenile to the lawful <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of a parent, guardian or other authority in another state. <a id="paragraph-241436" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The juvenile has failed to appear in court after having been duly served with a <span class="dictionary">summons</span> in any case in which it is alleged that the juvenile has committed a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> or that the child is in need of services or is in need of supervision; however, a child alleged to be in need of services or in need of supervision may be detained for good cause pursuant to this subsection only until the next day upon which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> sits within the county or city in which the charge against the child is pending, and under no circumstances longer than 72 hours from the time he was taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span>. If the 72-hour period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed, the 72 hours shall be extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed. <a id="paragraph-241437" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The juvenile failed to adhere to the conditions imposed upon him by <span class="dictionary">the court</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> following his release upon a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> charge or a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> charge.
				However, no juvenile younger than 11 years of age shall be placed in secure detention unless such juvenile is alleged to have committed one or more of the <span class="dictionary">delinquent acts</span> enumerated in subsection B or C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Trial in circuit court; preliminary hearing; direct indictment; remand" href="/16.1-269.1/">16.1-269.1</a>.
				When a juvenile is placed in secure detention, the detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall state the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> for which the juvenile is being detained, and, to the extent practicable, other pending and previous charges. <a id="paragraph-241438" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any juvenile not meeting the criteria for placement in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> shall be released to a parent, guardian or other person willing and able to provide supervision and care under such conditions as <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> may impose. However, a juvenile may be placed in <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> if: <a id="paragraph-241439" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The juvenile is eligible for placement in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span>; <a id="paragraph-241440" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The juvenile has failed to adhere to the directions of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>, <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> while on conditional release; <a id="paragraph-241441" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The juvenile&#x2019;s parent, guardian or other person able to provide supervision cannot be reached within a reasonable time; <a id="paragraph-241442" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The juvenile does not consent to return home; <a id="paragraph-241443" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Neither the juvenile&#x2019;s parent or guardian nor any other person able to provide proper supervision can arrive to assume <span class="dictionary">custody</span> within a reasonable time; or <a id="paragraph-241444" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The juvenile&#x2019;s parent or guardian refuses to permit the juvenile to return home and no relative or other person willing and able to provide proper supervision and care can be located within a reasonable time. <a id="paragraph-241445" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> When a juvenile is detained in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span>, the juvenile&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">probation officer</span> may review such placement for the purpose of seeking a less restrictive alternative to confinement in that <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span>. <a id="paragraph-241446" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The criteria for continuing the juvenile in detention or <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> as set forth in this section shall govern the decisions of all persons involved in determining whether the continued detention or <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span> is warranted pending court <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>. Such criteria shall be supported by clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in support of the decision not to release the juvenile. <a id="paragraph-241447" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive <span class="dictionary">the court</span> of its power to punish a juvenile summarily for <span class="dictionary">contempt</span> for acts set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Cases in which courts and judges may punish summarily for contempt" href="/18.2-456/">18.2-456</a>, other than acts of disobedience of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>&#x2019;s dispositional <span class="dictionary">order</span> which are committed outside the presence of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>. <a id="paragraph-241448" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> may be issued pursuant to subdivision A 2 by the committing court or by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> in the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> from which the juvenile fled or where he was taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span>. <a id="paragraph-241449" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> <span class="dictionary">The court</span> is authorized to <span class="dictionary">detain</span> a juvenile based upon the criteria set forth in subsection A at any time after a delinquency <span class="dictionary">petition</span> has been filed, both prior to adjudication and after adjudication pending final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> subject to the time limitations set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Time limitation" href="/16.1-277.1/">16.1-277.1</a>. <a id="paragraph-241450" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> releases the juvenile, either on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> or under such conditions as may be imposed, no <span class="dictionary">motion</span> to revoke <span class="dictionary">bail</span>, or change such conditions may be made unless (i) the juvenile has violated a term or condition of his release, or is convicted of or taken into <span class="dictionary">custody</span> for an additional <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, or (ii) the attorney for the Commonwealth presents <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that incorrect or incomplete information regarding the factors in subsection A was relied upon by the <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">magistrate</span> establishing the initial terms of release. If the <span class="dictionary">juvenile court</span> releases the juvenile, either on <span class="dictionary">bail</span> or <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> or under such conditions as may be imposed, over the objection of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for the Commonwealth may <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> such decision to the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">juvenile court</span> releasing the juvenile shall remain in effect until the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court, Court of <span class="dictionary">Appeals</span> or Supreme Court rules otherwise. <a id="paragraph-241451" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-248.1/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1977, c. 559; 1979, c. 701; 1985, c. 260; 1986, c. 517; 1987, c. 632; 1989, c. 725; 1990, c. 257; 1996, cc. 755, 914; 2000, c. 836; 2001, c. 837; 2002, cc. 55, 359; 2003, cc. 104, 851; 2004, c. 374; 2005, c. 647; 2010, c. 683; 2011, c. 644; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 115.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
