<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66575</law_id><section_number>19.2-56.1</section_number><catch_line>Warrant issued for search of attorney&amp;#8217;s office</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-52</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="5">Search Warrants</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any warrant sought for the search of a premises or the contents thereof belonging to or under the control of any licensed attorney-at-<span class="dictionary">law</span> to search for <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> solely involving a client of such attorney shall be issued only by a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span>. Any <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> seized pursuant to this section shall be inventoried forthwith by the clerk of the issuing <span class="dictionary">court</span> and <span class="dictionary">sealed</span> by the issuing <span class="dictionary">judge</span>. As soon thereafter as is practicable, the issuing <span class="dictionary">judge</span> shall conduct an <span class="dictionary">in camera</span> inspection of the seized <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in the presence of the attorney from whom the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> was seized. Following such inspection the issuing <span class="dictionary">judge</span> shall return any <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> so seized which is determined to be within the scope of the attorney-client <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> and not otherwise subject to seizure. <a id="paragraph-241573" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-56.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Nothing herein shall bar the standing of the client to challenge the admissibility of any <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> seized pursuant to this section in any <span class="dictionary">trial</span> or proceeding. <a id="paragraph-241574" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-56.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1986, c. 636.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
