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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76469</law_id><section_number>53.1-116.3</section_number><catch_line>Improper release; capias, arrest and hearing</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="53.1">Prisons and Other Methods of Correction</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3">Local Correctional Facilities</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Duties of Sheriffs</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The sheriff or jail superintendent or his designee, upon the <span class="dictionary">discovery</span> of an improper release or discharge of a prisoner from <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, shall report such release or discharge to the sentencing <span class="dictionary">court</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall then for good cause shown <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">capias</span> for the <span class="dictionary">arrest</span> of the prisoner which may be executed by any duly sworn <span class="dictionary">jail officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer. Such <span class="dictionary">capias</span> shall direct that the prisoner be presented forthwith to the <span class="dictionary">court</span> to determine the propriety of the original discharge or release. After a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> is satisfied that the original release or discharge was made improperly, the prisoner shall be returned to the jail facility from which he was released or discharged.</p></section></text><history>1997, c. 127.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
