                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CLOSURE OF NUISANCE INVOLVING ILLEGAL DRUG TRANSACTIONS (§ 48-16)

A. Upon a conviction under &#xA7; 18.2-258 and after due notice and opportunity
to be heard on the part of any owner, lessor, or a lienholder not involved in
the original offense, by a proceeding similar to that in Chapter 22.1 (&#xA7;
19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2 and upon proof of guilty knowledge, a court
may order that such house, motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, or other
premises, or any room or part thereof, be closed, but the court may, upon the
owner or lessor giving bond in the penalty of not less than $500 and with
security to be approved by the court, conditioned that the premises shall not be
used for unlawful purposes, turn the same over to its owner or lessor; or
proceeding may be had in equity as provided in &#xA7; 48-17.

B. The penalties provided in this section shall be in addition to any other
penalty provided by law, including immediate termination of a rental agreement
as provided in &#xA7; 55.1-1245.

C. In a civil or in rem proceeding under the provisions of this section judgment
shall not be entered against the owner, lessor, or lienholder of property unless
it is proved (i) that he knew of the unlawful use of the property and (ii) that
he had the right, because of such unlawful use, to enter and repossess the
property.

HISTORY: 2004, c. 462.