A. Upon the motion of any person or upon the court's own motion, the court may issue a preliminary protective order, after a hearing, if necessary to protect a child's life, health, safety or normal development pending the final determination of any matter before the court. The order may require a child's parents, guardian, legal custodian, other person standing in loco parentis or other family or household member of the child to observe reasonable conditions of behavior for a specified length of time. These conditions shall include any one or more of the following:
1. To abstain from offensive conduct against the child, a family or household member of the child or any person to whom custody of the child is awarded;
2. To cooperate in the provision of reasonable services or programs designed to protect the child's life, health or normal development;
3. To allow persons named by the court to come into the child's home at reasonable times designated by the court to visit the child or inspect the fitness of the home and to determine the physical or emotional health of the child;
4. To allow visitation with the child by persons entitled thereto, as determined by the court;
5. To refrain from acts of commission or omission which tend to endanger the child's life, health or normal development;
6. To refrain from such contact with the child or family or household members of the child, as the court may deem appropriate, including removal of such person from the residence of the child. However, prior to the issuance by the court of an order removing such person from the residence of the child, the petitioner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that such person's probable future conduct would constitute a danger to the life or health of such child, and that there are no less drastic alternatives which could reasonably and adequately protect the child's life or health pending a final determination on the petition; or
7. To grant the person on whose behalf the order is issued the possession of any companion animal as defined in § 3.2-6500 if such person meets the definition of owner in § 3.2-6500.
B. A preliminary protective order may be issued ex parte upon motion of any person or the court's own motion in any matter before the court, or upon petition. The motion or petition shall be supported by an affidavit or by sworn testimony in person before the judge or intake officer which establishes that the child would be subjected to an imminent threat to life or health to the extent that delay for the provision of an adversary hearing would be likely to result in serious or irremediable injury to the child's life or health. If an ex parte order is issued without an affidavit being presented, the court, in its order, shall state the basis upon which the order was entered, including a summary of the allegations made and the court's findings. Following the issuance of an ex parte order the court shall provide an adversary hearing to the affected parties within the shortest practicable time not to exceed five business days after the issuance of the order.
C. Prior to the hearing required by this section, notice of the hearing shall be given at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing to the guardian ad litem for the child, to the parents, guardian, legal custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis of the child, to any other family or household member of the child to whom the protective order may be directed and to the child if he or she is 12 years of age or older. The notice provided herein shall include (i) the time, date and place for the hearing and (ii) a specific statement of the factual circumstances which allegedly necessitate the issuance of a preliminary protective order.
D. All parties to the hearing shall be informed of their right to counsel pursuant to § 16.1-266.
E. At the hearing the child, his or her parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and any other family or household member of the child to whom notice was given shall have the right to confront and cross-examine all adverse witnesses and evidence and to present evidence on their own behalf.
F. If a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a child has been filed, at the hearing pursuant to this section the court shall determine whether the allegations of abuse or neglect have been proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Any finding of abuse or neglect shall be stated in the court order. However, if, before such a finding is made, a person responsible for the care and custody of the child, the child's guardian ad litem or the local department of social services objects to a finding being made at the hearing, the court shall schedule an adjudicatory hearing to be held within 30 days of the date of the initial preliminary protective order hearing. The adjudicatory hearing shall be held to determine whether the allegations of abuse and neglect have been proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Parties who are present at the hearing shall be given notice of the date set for the adjudicatory hearing and parties who are not present shall be summoned as provided in § 16.1-263. The adjudicatory hearing shall be held and an order may be entered, although a party to the hearing fails to appear and is not represented by counsel, provided personal or substituted service was made on the person, or the court determines that such person cannot be found, after reasonable effort, or in the case of a person who is without the Commonwealth, the person cannot be found or his post office address cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort.
Any preliminary protective order issued shall remain in full force and effect pending the adjudicatory hearing.
G. If at the preliminary protective order hearing held pursuant to this section the court makes a finding of abuse or neglect and a preliminary protective order is issued, a dispositional hearing shall be held pursuant to § 16.1-278.2. The court shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and transfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the respondent's identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court. A copy of the preliminary protective order containing any such identifying information shall be forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders. Upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department of State Police pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith on the allegedly abusing person in person as provided in § 16.1-264 and due return made to the court. However, if the order is issued by the circuit court, the clerk of the circuit court shall forthwith forward an attested copy of the order containing the respondent's identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court to the primary law-enforcement agency providing service and entry of protective orders and upon receipt of the order, the primary law-enforcement agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith upon the allegedly abusing person in person as provided in § 16.1-264. Upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and make due return to the court. The preliminary order shall specify a date for the dispositional hearing. The dispositional hearing shall be scheduled at the time of the hearing pursuant to this section, and shall be held within 60 days of this hearing. If an adjudicatory hearing is requested pursuant to subsection F, the dispositional hearing shall nonetheless be scheduled at the hearing pursuant to this section. All parties present at the hearing shall be given notice of the date and time scheduled for the dispositional hearing; parties who are not present shall be summoned to appear as provided in § 16.1-263.
H. Nothing in this section enables the court to remove a child from the custody of his or her parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis, except as provided in § 16.1-278.2, and no order hereunder shall be entered against a person over whom the court does not have jurisdiction.
I. Neither a law-enforcement agency, the attorney for the Commonwealth, a court nor the clerk's office, nor any employee of them, may disclose, except among themselves, the residential address, telephone number, or place of employment of the person protected by the order or that of the family of such person, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) required by law or the Rules of the Supreme Court, (ii) necessary for law-enforcement purposes, or (iii) permitted by the court for good cause.
J. Violation of any order issued pursuant to this section shall be punishable as contempt of court. However, if the violation involves an act or acts of commission or omission that endanger the child's life or health or result in bodily injury to the child, it shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
K. The court shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than the end of the business day on which the order was issued, enter and transfer electronically to the Virginia Criminal Information Network the respondent's identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court. A copy of the preliminary protective order containing any such identifying information shall be forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders. Upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith on the allegedly abusing person in person as provided in § 16.1-264 and due return made to the court. However, if the order is issued by the circuit court, the clerk of the circuit court shall forthwith forward an attested copy of the order containing the respondent's identifying information and the name, date of birth, sex, and race of each protected person provided to the court to the primary law-enforcement agency providing service and entry of protective orders and upon receipt of the order, the primary law-enforcement agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52 and the order shall be served forthwith on the allegedly abusing person in person as provided in § 16.1-264. Upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and make due return to the court. The preliminary order shall specify a date for the full hearing.
Upon receipt of the return of service or other proof of service pursuant to subsection C of § 16.1-264, the clerk shall forthwith forward an attested copy of the preliminary protective order to the primary law-enforcement agency and the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary into the Virginia Criminal Information Network as described above. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded forthwith to the primary law-enforcement agency responsible for service and entry of protective orders, and upon receipt of the order by the primary law-enforcement agency, the agency shall forthwith verify and enter any modification as necessary to the identifying information and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia Criminal Information Network as described above and the order shall be served forthwith and due return made to the court.
L. No fee shall be charged for filing or serving any petition or order pursuant to this section.
1977, c. 559; 1985, c. 595; 1986, c. 308; 1987, c. 497; 1996, c. 866; 1997, c. 790; 1998, c. 550; 2002, cc. 508, 810, 818; 2008, cc. 73, 246; 2009, c. 732; 2013, c. 130; 2014, c. 346; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 184, 529.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record
Chapter 11 - Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts
§ 16.1-227. Purpose and intent
§ 16.1-229. This chapter controlling in event of conflict
§ 16.1-230. Organization and operation of juvenile and domestic relations district courts
§ 16.1-231. Rules of procedure
§ 16.1-235. How probation, parole and related court services provided
§ 16.1-235.1. Provision of court services; replacement intake officers
§ 16.1-236. Supervisory officers
§ 16.1-236.1. Court services unit directors
§ 16.1-237. Powers, duties and functions of probation and parole officers
§ 16.1-239. Payment of traveling expenses of court officers; reimbursement
§ 16.1-240. Citizens advisory council
§ 16.1-241. Jurisdiction; consent for abortion
§ 16.1-241.2. Proceedings against certain parents
§ 16.1-241.3. Newborn children; substance abuse
§ 16.1-242. Retention of jurisdiction
§ 16.1-242.1. Retention of jurisdiction; appeals involving children in foster care
§ 16.1-244. Concurrent jurisdiction; exceptions
§ 16.1-245. Transfer from other courts
§ 16.1-245.1. Medical evidence admissible in juvenile and domestic relations district court
§ 16.1-246. When and how child may be taken into immediate custody
§ 16.1-247. Duties of person taking child into custody
§ 16.1-247.1. Custodial interrogation of a child; parental notification and contact
§ 16.1-248.1. Criteria for detention or shelter care
§ 16.1-248.2. Mental health screening and assessment for certain juveniles
§ 16.1-248.3. Medical records of juveniles in secure facility
§ 16.1-249. Places of confinement for juveniles
§ 16.1-249.1. Places of confinement to give notice of intake of certain persons
§ 16.1-250. Procedure for detention hearing
§ 16.1-251. Emergency removal order
§ 16.1-252. Preliminary removal order; hearing
§ 16.1-253. Preliminary protective order
§ 16.1-253.1. Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality
§ 16.1-253.2. Violation of provisions of protective orders; penalty
§ 16.1-253.4. Emergency protective orders authorized in certain cases; penalty
§ 16.1-254. Responsibility for and limitation on transportation of children
§ 16.1-255. Limitation on issuance of detention orders for juveniles; appearance by juvenile
§ 16.1-256. Limitations as to issuance of warrants for juveniles; detention orders
§ 16.1-257. Interference with or obstruction of officer; concealment or removal of child
§ 16.1-258. Bonds and forfeitures thereof
§ 16.1-259. Procedure in cases of adults
§ 16.1-260. Intake; petition; investigation
§ 16.1-261. Statements made at intake or mental health screening and assessment
§ 16.1-262. Form and content of petition
§ 16.1-264. Service of summons; proof of service; penalty
§ 16.1-265. Subpoena; attorney-issued subpoena
§ 16.1-266. Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem
§ 16.1-267. Compensation of appointed counsel
§ 16.1-268. Order of appointment
§ 16.1-269.1. Trial in circuit court; preliminary hearing; direct indictment; remand
§ 16.1-269.2. Admissibility of statement; investigation and report; bail
§ 16.1-269.3. Retention by juvenile court; appeal
§ 16.1-269.4. Transfer to circuit court; appeal by juvenile
§ 16.1-269.5. Placement of juvenile
§ 16.1-270. Waiver of jurisdiction of juvenile court in certain cases
§ 16.1-271. Subsequent offenses by juvenile
§ 16.1-272. Power of circuit court over juvenile offender
§ 16.1-272.1. Claim of error to be raised within one year
§ 16.1-274. Time for filing of reports; copies furnished to attorneys; amended reports; fees
§ 16.1-274.1. Admission of evidence of juvenile's age
§ 16.1-274.2. Certain education records as evidence
§ 16.1-275. Physical and mental examinations and treatment; nursing and medical care
§ 16.1-276. Fees and travel expenses of witnesses
§ 16.1-276.2. Transportation orders in certain proceedings
§ 16.1-277.01. Approval of entrustment agreement
§ 16.1-277.02. Petition for relief of care and custody
§ 16.1-277.2. Rejection of plea agreement; recusal
§ 16.1-278. Cooperation of certain agencies, officials, institutions and associations
§ 16.1-278.2. Abused, neglected, or abandoned children or children without parental care
§ 16.1-278.3. Relief of care and custody
§ 16.1-278.4. Children in need of services
§ 16.1-278.5. Children in need of supervision
§ 16.1-278.6. Status offenders
§ 16.1-278.7. Commitment to Department of Juvenile Justice
§ 16.1-278.7:01. Department to give notice of the receipt of certain persons
§ 16.1-278.8. Delinquent juveniles
§ 16.1-278.10. Traffic infractions
§ 16.1-278.11. Mental illness and intellectual disability
§ 16.1-278.12. When judicial consent in lieu of parental consent authorized
§ 16.1-278.13. Work permits; petitions for treatment, etc.
§ 16.1-278.14. Criminal jurisdiction; protective orders; family offenses
§ 16.1-278.15. Custody or visitation, child or spousal support generally
§ 16.1-278.16. Failure to comply with support obligation; payroll deduction; commitment
§ 16.1-278.17. Pendente lite support
§ 16.1-278.17:1. Formula for determination of pendente lite spousal support
§ 16.1-278.18. Money judgments
§ 16.1-279.1. Protective order in cases of family abuse
§ 16.1-280. Commitment of juveniles with mental illness or intellectual disability
§ 16.1-282. Foster care review
§ 16.1-282.1. Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care
§ 16.1-282.2. Annual foster care review
§ 16.1-283. Termination of residual parental rights
§ 16.1-283.1. Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement
§ 16.1-283.2. Restoration of parental rights
§ 16.1-283.3. Review of voluntary continuing services and support agreements for former foster youth
§ 16.1-284. When adult sentenced for juvenile offense
§ 16.1-284.1. Placement in secure local facility
§ 16.1-285. Duration of commitments
§ 16.1-285.1. Commitment of serious offenders
§ 16.1-285.2. Release and review hearing for serious offender
§ 16.1-286. Cost of maintenance; approval of placement; semiannual review
§ 16.1-288. Protection of religious affiliations
§ 16.1-289. Review of order of commitment
§ 16.1-289.1. Motions to reconsider orders for participation in continuing programs
§ 16.1-290. Support of committed juvenile; support from estate of juvenile
§ 16.1-290.1. Payment for court-ordered counseling, treatment or programs
§ 16.1-292. Violation of court order by any person
§ 16.1-293.1. Mental health services transition plan
§ 16.1-294. Placing child on parole in foster home or with institution; how cost paid
§ 16.1-295. Transfer of supervision from one county or city to another, or to another state
§ 16.1-296. Jurisdiction of appeals; procedure
§ 16.1-296.2. Appeals of certain custody and visitation proceedings
§ 16.1-298. Effect of petition for or pendency of appeal; bail
§ 16.1-299. Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles
§ 16.1-299.1. Sample required for DNA analysis upon conviction or adjudication of felony
§ 16.1-300. Confidentiality of Department records
§ 16.1-302.1. Right of victim or representative to attend certain proceedings; notice of hearings
§ 16.1-303. Reports of court officials and employees when privileged
§ 16.1-305. Confidentiality of court records
§ 16.1-305.01. Access to child and spousal support case files
§ 16.1-305.1. Disclosure of disposition in certain delinquency cases
§ 16.1-306. Expungement of court records
§ 16.1-307. Circuit court records regarding juveniles
§ 16.1-308. Effect of adjudication on status of child
§ 16.1-309.1. Exception as to confidentiality
§ 16.1-309.2. Purpose and intent
§ 16.1-309.4. Statewide plan for juvenile services
§ 16.1-309.7. Determination of payment
§ 16.1-309.8. Costs of maintenance of juveniles in Community Crime Control Act programs
§ 16.1-309.9. Establishment of standards; determination of compliance
§ 16.1-309.11. Youth justice diversion program
§ 16.1-315. Joint or regional citizen detention commissions authorized
§ 16.1-316. Number and terms of members; admission of additional local governing bodies
§ 16.1-317. Quorum; chairman; rules of procedure; compensation
§ 16.1-319. Acquisition of property by commission
§ 16.1-320. Property of commission exempt from execution and judgment liens
§ 16.1-321. Appropriations by political subdivisions; issuance of bonds
§ 16.1-322. Record of commission; reports
§ 16.1-322.2. Payment of funds quarterly; distribution and reallocation of reserve
§ 16.1-322.4. Payments for children from other counties or cities
§ 16.1-322.6. Powers and duties not delegable to contractor
§ 16.1-322.7. State Board to promulgate regulations
§ 16.1-323. Governor to execute; form of compact
§ 16.1-323.1. State Council for Interstate Compact for Juveniles
§ 16.1-331. Petition for emancipation
§ 16.1-332. Orders of court; investigation, report and appointment of counsel
§ 16.1-333. Findings necessary to order that minor is emancipated
§ 16.1-334.1. Identification card issued to minor by DMV
§ 16.1-337. Inpatient treatment of minors; general applicability; disclosure of records
§ 16.1-339. Parental admission of an objecting minor 14 years of age or older
§ 16.1-339.1. Minors in detention homes or shelter care facilities
§ 16.1-340. Emergency custody; issuance and execution of order
§ 16.1-340.1. Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order
§ 16.1-340.1:1. Facility of temporary detention
§ 16.1-340.2. Transportation of minor in the temporary detention process
§ 16.1-340.3. Release of minor prior to commitment hearing for involuntary admission
§ 16.1-340.4. Involuntary commitment; preadmission screening report
§ 16.1-341. Involuntary commitment; petition; hearing scheduled; notice and appointment of counsel
§ 16.1-342. Involuntary commitment; clinical evaluation
§ 16.1-343. Involuntary commitment; duties of attorney for the minor
§ 16.1-344. Involuntary commitment; hearing
§ 16.1-345. Involuntary commitment; criteria
§ 16.1-345.1. Use of electronic communication
§ 16.1-345.2. Mandatory outpatient treatment; criteria; orders
§ 16.1-345.3. Monitoring mandatory outpatient treatment; motion for review
§ 16.1-345.4. Court review of mandatory outpatient treatment plan
§ 16.1-345.5. Continuation of mandatory outpatient treatment order
§ 16.1-345.6. Appeal of final order
§ 16.1-346. Treatment plans; periodic review of status
§ 16.1-347. Fees and expenses for qualified evaluators
§ 16.1-348. Availability of judge
§ 16.1-350. Petition for court approval of standby guardian
§ 16.1-351. Court order approving standby guardianship; authority; when effective
§ 16.1-353. Further proceedings to determine permanent guardianship, custody
§ 16.1-354. Revocation, refusal, termination of standby guardianship
§ 16.1-355. Review of standby guardianship
§ 16.1-357. Disposition when juvenile found incompetent
§ 16.1-358. Disposition of the unrestorably incompetent juvenile
§ 16.1-359. Litigating certain issues when the juvenile is incompetent