                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHEN INFORMATION FILED; PROSECUTION FOR FELONY TO BE BY INDICTMENT OR
PRESENTMENT; WAIVER; PROCESS TO COMPEL APPEARANCE OF ACCUSED (§ 19.2-217)

An information may be filed by the attorney for the Commonwealth based upon a
complaint in writing verified by the oath of a competent witness; but no person
shall be put upon trial for any felony, unless an indictment or presentment
shall have first been found or made by a grand jury in a court of competent
jurisdiction or unless such person, by writing signed by such person before the
court having jurisdiction to try such felony or before the judge of such court
shall have waived such indictment or presentment, in which event he may be tried
on a warrant or information. If the accused be in custody, or has been
recognized or summoned to answer such information, presentment or indictment, no
other process shall be necessary; but the court may, in its discretion, issue
process to compel the appearance of the accused.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 19.1-162; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.