                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS; TRIAL IN ABSENCE OF DEFENDANT (§ 20-66)

a. If the person so summoned fails without reasonable cause to appear as herein
required, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court and the
court may, (1) proceed with the trial of the case in his or her absence and
render such judgment as to it seems right and proper, or (2) continue the case
to some future date.

b. If the trial be proceeded with in the absence of the defendant and judgment
of conviction be entered against him or her, he or she may, within thirty days
after the judgment of conviction is rendered, make application to the court to
have the case reopened, and after due notice to the original complainant, for
good cause, the court may reopen the case and enter such judgment or order as is
right and proper.

HISTORY: 1944, p. 211; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1937a; 1974, c. 464.