NCJ Number
142735
Date Published
1992
Length
942 pages
Annotation
This handbook instructs Virginia's commonwealth's attorneys in Virginia law, prosecutorial responsibilities and duties, and criminal procedures.
Abstract
Specific laws explained are laws of arrest, the Virginia Habitual Offender Act, uniform State acts, and riot law. One chapter describes the duties, responsibilities, and privileges of the commonwealth's attorney. Specialized proceedings explained are juvenile proceedings, jury selection, the handling of capital murder cases, the prosecution of persons charged with drunk driving, the prosecution of drug cases, search and seizure, and appellate procedure. Other legal doctrines and procedures discussed are extrajudicial confessions; the grand jury system in Virginia; habeas corpus in Virginia; indictments, informations, and presentments; judicial confessions (plea agreements); asset forfeitures; extradition; the insanity defense in Virginia; and the rules of evidence. Remaining topics considered are cooperating agencies; detainers; U.S. Supreme Court decisions, criminal law, and procedure; crime victims; the prosecutor's duty to disclose exculpatory information; and argument of counsel. This handbook, whose core chapters were adopted in 1986 to replace the 1976 edition, contains revisions and additions up through July 13, 1992.