CHAPTER 241
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-456 and 19.2-128 of the Code of Virginia, relating to penalties for failure to appear; contempt.
[H 933]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 18.2-456 and 19.2-128 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 18.2-456 . Cases in which courts and judges may punish summarily for contempt.
A. The courts and judges may issue attachments for contempt, and punish them summarily, only in the following cases:
1. Misbehavior in the presence of the court, or so near thereto as to obstruct or interrupt the administration of justice;
2. Violence, or threats of violence, to a judge or officer of the court, or to a juror, witness, or party going to, attending, or returning from the court, for or in respect of any act or proceeding had, or to be had, in such court;
3. Vile, contemptuous, or insulting language addressed to or published of a judge for or in respect of any act or proceeding had, or to be had, in such court, or like language used in his presence and intended for his hearing for or in respect of such act or proceeding;