                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ARRESTS WITHOUT WARRANTS IN CERTAIN CASES (§ 52-20)

A. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;electronic communication&#8221;
means the use of technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless,
optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities to transmit or receive
information.

B. Members of the State Police force of the Commonwealth, provided such officers
are in uniform or displaying a badge of office, may, at the scene of any motor
vehicle accident or in the apprehension of any person charged with the theft of
any motor vehicle on any of the highways of the Commonwealth, upon reasonable
grounds to believe, based upon personal investigation, including information
obtained from eyewitnesses, that a crime has been committed by any person then
and there present apprehend such person without a warrant of arrest. Such
officers may arrest without a warrant persons duly charged with crime in another
jurisdiction upon receipt of an electronic communication containing the name or
a reasonably accurate description of such person wanted and the crime alleged.

HISTORY: 1942, p. 481; Michie Code 1942, § 4827a; 1950, p. 888; 2022, c. 49.