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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>74176</law_id><section_number>19.2-217</section_number><catch_line>When information filed; prosecution for felony to be by indictment or presentment; waiver; process to compel appearance of accused</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="14">Presentments, Indictments and Informations</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Necessity for Indictment, Etc</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>An information may be filed by the attorney for the Commonwealth based upon a complaint in writing verified by the <span class="dictionary">oath</span> of a competent <span class="dictionary">witness</span>; but no person shall be put upon <span class="dictionary">trial</span> for any <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, unless an <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or <span class="dictionary">presentment</span> shall have first been found or made by a <span class="dictionary">grand jury</span> in a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of competent <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> or unless such person, by writing signed by such person before the <span class="dictionary">court</span> having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> to try such <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or before the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> of such <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall have waived such <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or <span class="dictionary">presentment</span>, in which event he may be tried on a warrant or information. If the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> be in <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, or has been recognized or summoned to answer such information, <span class="dictionary">presentment</span> or <span class="dictionary">indictment</span>, no other process shall be necessary; but the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, in its discretion, <span class="dictionary">issue</span> process to compel the <span class="dictionary">appearance</span> of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 19.1-162; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
