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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56901</law_id><section_number>20-75</section_number><catch_line>Procedure when accused outside territorial jurisdiction</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="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5">Desertion and Nonsupport</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Whenever the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> is outside the territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, instead of requiring his or her <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> and personal <span class="dictionary">appearance</span> before the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may allow the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> to accept service of the process or warrant and enter a written <span class="dictionary">plea</span> of guilty. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may thereupon proceed as if the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> were present and enter such <span class="dictionary">order</span> of support as may be just and proper, requiring the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> to enter into the <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> hereinbefore mentioned. For the purposes of this chapter the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may authorize the entering into of such <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> outside the territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> before such official of the place where the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> or his or her <span class="dictionary">surety</span> may be and under such conditions and subject to such <span class="dictionary">stipulations</span> and requirements as the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may direct and approve. The provisions of this chapter as to the entering into of <span class="dictionary">recognizances</span> outside the territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall likewise apply to any renewal of any <span class="dictionary">recognizance</span> heretofore or hereafter entered into in any desertion and nonsupport case.</p></section></text><history>Code 1919, &#xA7; 1939; 1932, p. 467; 1940, p. 477; 1975, c. 644.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
