                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

AUTHORITY OF LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS (§ 46.2-939)

Local law-enforcement officers and state police officers, in the course of their
duties in the investigation of any accident involving a motor vehicle or
vehicles, may, at the scene of any such accident, issue a subpoena to any
witness to appear in court and testify with respect to any criminal charge
brought against any person as a result of such accident. State police officers,
additionally, may issue such subpoenas at any other location within seventy-two
hours of the time of such accident, with the return of service thereof made to
the appropriate court clerk within forty-eight hours after such service. A
subpoena so issued shall have the same force and effect as if issued by the
court.
		Any person failing to appear in response to a subpoena issued as provided in
this section shall be punished as provided by law.

HISTORY: 1975, c. 138, § 46.1-178.2; 1986, c. 40; 1989, c. 727.