                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

APPEARANCE BY OWNER OR LIEN HOLDER (§ 19.2-386.9)

Any person claiming to be an owner or lien holder of the named property may
appear at any time within thirty days after service on him of notice to appear
or on or before the date certain set forth in any order of publication under §
8.01-317 or such longer time as the court in its discretion may allow to prevent
a miscarriage of justice. Any person without actual or constructive notice of
the forfeiture proceedings claiming to be an owner or lienholder may appear at
any time before final judgment of the trial court and be made a party to the
action. Such appearance shall be by answer, under oath, which shall clearly set
forth (i) the nature of the defendant&#8217;s claim; (ii) the exact right, title
or character of the ownership or interest in the property and the evidence
thereof; and (iii) the reason, cause, exemption or defense he may have against
the forfeiture of the property.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 690; 1991, c. 560.