<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86031</law_id><section_number>19.2-270.1:1</section_number><catch_line>Computer and electronic data in obscenity, etc. cases; access to defendant</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="16">Evidence and Witnesses</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">In General</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>When computer data or electronic data, stored in any form, the <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of which is otherwise unlawful, are seized as <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in a criminal <span class="dictionary">prosecution</span> of any <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involving obscenity or child pornography, neither the original data nor a copy thereof shall be released to the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> or his <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>, nor shall a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> the release of such <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> to the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> or his <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> except as provided herein. The <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> and his <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall be allowed the reasonable opportunity to review such <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in accordance with the rules of <span class="dictionary">discovery</span>. Upon a <span class="dictionary">finding</span> that the production of the original data or a copy thereof to <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> or his designee is necessary and <span class="dictionary">material</span> to the defense of the <span class="dictionary">accused</span>, the court may order such production only under terms that restrict access to specifically identified recipients, prohibit any duplication of the data beyond what is reasonably necessary for the purpose of the production, and require the return of the data to the <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agency maintaining <span class="dictionary">custody</span> or control of the seized data for appropriate <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>.</p></section></text><history>2006, c. 601.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
