<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81843</law_id><section_number>19.2-218.1</section_number><catch_line>Preliminary hearings involving certain sexual crimes against spouses</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-61</reference><reference>18.2-67.1</reference><reference>18.2-67.2</reference><reference>19.2-218.2</reference></referred_to_by><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 id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> In any <span class="dictionary">preliminary hearing</span> of a charge for a violation under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rape" href="/18.2-61/">18.2-61</a>, <a class="law" title="Forcible sodomy" href="/18.2-67.1/">18.2-67.1</a>, or <a class="law" title="Object sexual penetration; penalty" href="/18.2-67.2/">18.2-67.2</a> where the complaining <span class="dictionary">witness</span> is the spouse of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>, upon a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> of <span class="dictionary">probable cause</span> the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may request that its <span class="dictionary">court</span> services unit, in consultation with any appropriate social services organization, local <span class="dictionary">community services</span> board, or other community mental health services organization, prepare a report analyzing the feasibility of providing counseling or other forms of therapy for the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> and the probability such treatment will be successful. Based upon this report and any other relevant <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, with the consent of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>, the complaining <span class="dictionary">witness</span> and the attorney for the Commonwealth in any case involving a violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rape" href="/18.2-61/">18.2-61</a>, <a class="law" title="Forcible sodomy" href="/18.2-67.1/">18.2-67.1</a>, or <a class="law" title="Object sexual penetration; penalty" href="/18.2-67.2/">18.2-67.2</a>, authorize the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> to submit to and complete a designated course of counseling or therapy. In such case, the hearing shall be adjourned until such time as counseling or therapy is completed or terminated. Upon the completion of counseling or therapy by the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> and after consideration of a final evaluation to be furnished to the <span class="dictionary">court</span> by the person responsible for conducting such counseling or therapy and such further report of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> services unit as the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may require, and after consideration of the views of the complaining <span class="dictionary">witness</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, in its discretion, may discharge the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds such action will promote maintenance of the family unit and be in the best interest of the complaining <span class="dictionary">witness</span>. <a id="paragraph-293205" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-218.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No statement or disclosure by the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> concerning the alleged <span class="dictionary">offense</span> made during counseling or any other form of therapy ordered pursuant to this section or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rape" href="/18.2-61/">18.2-61</a>, <a class="law" title="Forcible sodomy" href="/18.2-67.1/">18.2-67.1</a>, <a class="law" title="Object sexual penetration; penalty" href="/18.2-67.2/">18.2-67.2</a>, or <a class="law" title="Hearing before juvenile and domestic relations district court required for persons accused of certain violations against their spouses" href="/19.2-218.2/">19.2-218.2</a> may be used against the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> in any <span class="dictionary">trial</span> as <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>, nor shall any <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> against the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> be admitted which was discovered through such statement or disclosure. <a id="paragraph-293206" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-218.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1986, c. 516; 2005, c. 631; 2012, cc. 476, 507.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
