<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>57102</law_id><section_number>19.2-386.10</section_number><catch_line>Forfeiture; default judgment; remission; trial</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-386.11</reference><reference>19.2-386.12</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="22.1">Enforcement of Forfeitures</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> who fails to appear as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appearance by owner or lien holder" href="/19.2-386.9/">19.2-386.9</a> shall be in <span class="dictionary">default</span>. The forfeiture shall be deemed established as to the interest of any <span class="dictionary">party</span> in <span class="dictionary">default</span> upon entry of <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Judgment of condemnation; destruction" href="/19.2-386.11/">19.2-386.11</a>. Within 21 days after entry of <span class="dictionary">judgment</span>, any <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> against whom <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> has been so entered may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> the Department of Criminal Justice Services for remission of his interest in the forfeited property. For good cause shown and upon proof by a <span class="dictionary">preponderance of the evidence</span> that the <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>&#x2019;s interest in the property is exempt under subdivision 2, 3, or 4 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exemptions" href="/19.2-386.8/">19.2-386.8</a>, the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall grant the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> and direct the state treasury to either (i) remit to the <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> an amount not exceeding the <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>&#x2019;s interest in the proceeds of sale of the forfeited property after deducting expenses incurred and payable pursuant to subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Sale of forfeited property" href="/19.2-386.12/">19.2-386.12</a> or (ii) convey clear and absolute title to the forfeited property in extinguishment of such interest.
			If any <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> appears in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appearance by owner or lien holder" href="/19.2-386.9/">19.2-386.9</a>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall proceed to <span class="dictionary">trial</span> of the case, unless <span class="dictionary">trial</span> by <span class="dictionary">jury</span> is demanded by the Commonwealth or any <span class="dictionary">party</span> <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>. At <span class="dictionary">trial</span>, the Commonwealth has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture under this chapter. Upon such a showing by the Commonwealth, the claimant has the burden of proving by a <span class="dictionary">preponderance of the evidence</span> that the claimant&#x2019;s interest in the property is exempt under subdivision 2, 3, or 4 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exemptions" href="/19.2-386.8/">19.2-386.8</a>. <a id="paragraph-209103" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-386.10/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The information and <span class="dictionary">trial</span> thereon shall be independent of any criminal proceeding against any <span class="dictionary">party</span> or other person for violation of <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-209104" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-386.10/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1989, c. 690; 1991, c. 560; 2016, cc. 203, 423, 664; 2020, c. 1000.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
