                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FORM OF PROSECUTIONS GENERALLY; MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER (§ 19.2-221)

The prosecutions for offenses against the Commonwealth, unless otherwise
provided, shall be by presentment, indictment or information. While any form of
presentment, indictment or information which informs the accused of the nature
and cause of the accusation against him shall be good the following shall be
deemed sufficient for murder and manslaughter:
		Commonwealth of Virginia _______________ county (or city) to-wit: The grand
jurors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in and for the body of the county (or
city) of __________, upon their oaths present that A __________ B __________, on
the __________ day of __________, 20_____, in the county (or city) of __________
feloniously did kill and murder one C __________ D __________ against the peace
and dignity of the Commonwealth.
		A grand jury may, in case of homicide, which in their opinion amounts to
manslaughter only, and not to murder, find an indictment against the accused for
manslaughter and in such case the indictment shall be sufficient if it be in
form or effect as follows:
		Commonwealth of Virginia _______________ county (or city) to-wit: The grand
jurors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in and for the body of the county (or
city) of _______________, upon their oaths present that A __________ B
__________, on the __________ day of __________, 20_____, in the county (or
city) of __________ feloniously and unlawfully did kill and slay one C
__________ D __________, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 19.1-166; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.