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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86223</law_id><section_number>19.2-266.2</section_number><catch_line>Defense objections to be raised before trial; hearing; bill of particulars</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="15">Trial and Its Incidents</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="5">Miscellaneous Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Defense <span class="dictionary">motions</span> or objections seeking (i) suppression of <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> on the grounds such <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> was obtained in violation of the provisions of the Fourth, Fifth or Sixth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States or Article I, Section 8, 10 or 11 of the Constitution of Virginia proscribing illegal searches and seizures and protecting rights against self-incrimination; (ii) <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> of a warrant, information, or <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or any count or charge thereof on the ground that: (a) the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> would be deprived of a <span class="dictionary">speedy trial</span> in violation of the provisions of the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of Virginia, or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on prosecution of felony due to lapse of time after finding of probable cause; misdemeanors; exceptions" href="/19.2-243/">19.2-243</a>; or (b) the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> would be twice placed in jeopardy in violation of the provisions of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of Virginia; or (iii) <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> of a warrant, information, or <span class="dictionary">indictment</span> or any count or charge thereof on the ground that a <span class="dictionary">statute</span> upon which it was based is unconstitutional shall be raised by <span class="dictionary">motion</span> or objection. <a id="paragraph-308853" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-266.2/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Such a <span class="dictionary">motion</span> or objection in a proceeding in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall be raised in writing, before trial. The <span class="dictionary">motions</span> or objections shall be filed and notice given to opposing <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> not later than seven days before trial in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> or, if made under clause (ii) of subsection A, at such time prior to trial in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> as the grounds for the <span class="dictionary">motion</span> or objection shall arise, whichever occurs last. A <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on all such <span class="dictionary">motions</span> or objections shall be held not later than three days prior to trial in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>, unless such period is waived by the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>, as set by the trial <span class="dictionary">judge</span>. The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, however, for good cause shown and in the interest of justice, permit the <span class="dictionary">motions</span> or objections to be raised at a later time. <a id="paragraph-308854" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-266.2/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> To assist the defense in filing such <span class="dictionary">motions</span> or objections in a timely manner, the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall, upon <span class="dictionary">motion</span> of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, direct the Commonwealth to file a <span class="dictionary">bill of particulars</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Bill of particulars" href="/19.2-230/">19.2-230</a>. The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall fix the time within which such <span class="dictionary">bill of particulars</span> is to be filed. Upon further <span class="dictionary">motion</span> of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, upon a showing of good cause, direct the Commonwealth to supplement its <span class="dictionary">bill of particulars</span>. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall certify that the matters stated in the <span class="dictionary">bill of particulars</span> are true and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief. <a id="paragraph-308855" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-266.2/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> In a criminal proceeding in district <span class="dictionary">court</span>, any <span class="dictionary">motion</span> or objection as described in subsection A may be raised prior to or at such proceeding. In the event such a <span class="dictionary">motion</span> or objection is raised, the district <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall, upon <span class="dictionary">motion</span> of the Commonwealth grant a <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> for good cause shown. <a id="paragraph-308856" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-266.2/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1987, c. 710; 2005, cc. 622, 694; 2006, cc. 578, 862.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
