<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54951</law_id><section_number>8.01-694</section_number><catch_line>Service of process; time for response</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="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="27">Virginia Prisoner Litigation Reform Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In any action in which any <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> is the Commonwealth or one of its officers, employees, or agents, upon the grant of <span class="dictionary">in forma pauperis</span> status or receipt of the filing fee and costs, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall serve the Office of the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> with a copy of the <span class="dictionary">motion for judgment</span> and all necessary supporting papers. The Office of the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> shall have no fewer than thirty days from receipt in which to file responsive <span class="dictionary">pleadings</span>. The prisoner&#x2019;s failure to state his claims in a written <span class="dictionary">motion for judgment</span> plainly stating <span class="dictionary">facts</span> sufficient to support his <span class="dictionary">cause of action</span>, accompanied by all necessary supporting documentation, may be grounds for <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> of the action.</p></section></text><history>2002, c. 871; 2009, c. 372.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
