                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES; ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL; EVIDENTIARY MATTERS AND
REMEDIES; POWER TO ADJOURN CASE (§ 19.2-183)

A. The judge before whom any person is brought for an offense shall, as soon as
may be practical, in the presence of such person, examine on oath the witnesses
for and against him. Before conducting the hearing or accepting a waiver of the
hearing, the judge shall advise the accused of his right to counsel and, if the
accused is indigent and the offense charged be punishable by confinement in jail
or the state correctional facility, the judge shall appoint counsel as provided
by law.

B. At the hearing the judge shall, in the presence of the accused, hear
testimony presented for and against the accused in accordance with the rules of
evidence applicable to criminal trials in this Commonwealth. In felony cases,
the accused shall not be called upon to plead, but he may cross-examine any
witness who testifies on behalf of the Commonwealth or on behalf of any other
defendant, introduce witnesses in his own behalf, and testify in his own behalf.

C. A judge may adjourn a trial, pending before him, not exceeding 10 days at one
time, without the consent of the accused.

D. At any preliminary hearing under this section, certificates of analysis and
reports prepared pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; 19.2-187 and 19.2-188 shall be
admissible without the testimony of the person preparing such certificate or
report.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 19.1-101, 19.1-102; 1960, c. 366; 1968, c. 639; 1973,
c. 485; 1975, c. 495; 1982, c. 513; 2010, c. 555.