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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66457</law_id><section_number>19.2-220</section_number><catch_line>Contents of indictment in general</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="2">Form and Requisites</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or information shall be a plain, concise and definite written statement, (1) naming the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>, (2) describing the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> charged, (3) identifying the county, city or town in which the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> committed the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, and (4) reciting that the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> committed the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> on or about a certain date. In describing the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, the <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or information may use the name given to the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> by the <span class="dictionary">common law</span>, or the <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or information may state so much of the <span class="dictionary">common law</span> or statutory definition of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> as is sufficient to advise what <span class="dictionary">offense</span> is charged.</p></section></text><history>1975, c. 495.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
