Following conviction and prior to sentencing, the court shall order such defendant committed to the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed 60 days from the date of referral for evaluation and diagnosis by the Department to determine the person's potential for rehabilitation through confinement and treatment in the facilities and programs established pursuant to § 53.1-63. The evaluation and diagnosis shall include a complete physical and mental examination of the defendant and may be conducted by the Department of Corrections at any state or local facility, probation and parole office, or other location deemed appropriate by the Department. The Department of Corrections shall conduct the evaluation and diagnosis and shall review all aspects of the case within 60 days from the date of conviction or revocation of ordinary probation and shall recommend that the defendant be committed to the facility established pursuant to § 53.1-63 upon finding that (i) such defendant is physically and emotionally suitable for the program, (ii) such commitment is in the best interest of the Commonwealth and the defendant, and (iii) facilities are available for confinement of the defendant.
If the Director of the Department of Corrections determines such person should be confined in a facility other than one established pursuant to § 53.1-63, a written report giving the reasons for such decision shall be submitted to the sentencing court. The court shall not be bound by such written report in the matter of determining punishment. Additionally, the person may be committed or transferred to a state hospital operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or other mental health hospital, as provided by law, during such 60-day period.
Code 1950, § 19.1-295.6; 1966, c. 579; 1974, cc. 44, 1975, c. 495; 1990, c. 701; 2000, cc. 668, 690; 2012, cc. 476, 507.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 19.2 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 18 - Sentence; Judgment; Execution of Sentence
§ 19.2-295. Ascertainment of punishment
§ 19.2-295.1. Sentencing proceeding by the jury after conviction
§ 19.2-295.3. Admission of victim impact testimony
§ 19.2-296. Withdrawal of plea of guilty
§ 19.2-297.1. Sentence of person twice previously convicted of certain violent felonies
§ 19.2-298. Pronouncement of sentence
§ 19.2-298.01. Use of discretionary sentencing guidelines
§ 19.2-298.02. Deferred disposition in a criminal case
§ 19.2-299. Investigations and reports by probation officers in certain cases
§ 19.2-299.1. When Victim Impact Statement required; contents; uses
§ 19.2-302. Construction and administration of §§ 19.2-300 and 19.2-301
§ 19.2-303.01. Reduction of sentence; substantial assistance to prosecution
§ 19.2-303.1. Fixing period of suspension of sentence
§ 19.2-303.2. Persons charged with first offense may be placed on probation
§ 19.2-303.4. Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation
§ 19.2-304. Increasing or decreasing probation period and modification of conditions
§ 19.2-305.1. Restitution for property damage or loss; community service
§ 19.2-305.2. Amount of restitution; enforcement
§ 19.2-305.4. When interest to be paid on award of restitution
§ 19.2-306. Revocation of suspension of sentence and probation
§ 19.2-306.1. Limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; exceptions
§ 19.2-307. Contents of judgment order
§ 19.2-308. When two or more sentences run concurrently
§ 19.2-308.1. When sentence may run concurrently with sentence in another jurisdiction
§ 19.2-310. Transfer of prisoners to custody of Director of Department of Corrections
§ 19.2-310.01. Transmission of sentencing documents
§ 19.2-310.2:1. Saliva or tissue sample required for DNA analysis after arrest for a violent felony
§ 19.2-310.3. Procedures for withdrawal of blood, saliva or tissue sample for DNA analysis
§ 19.2-310.3:1. Procedures for taking saliva or tissue sample for DNA analysis
§ 19.2-310.4. Procedures for conducting DNA analysis of blood, saliva or tissue sample
§ 19.2-310.6. Unauthorized uses of DNA data bank; forensic samples; penalties
§ 19.2-313. Eligibility for release
§ 19.2-314. Supervision of persons released
§ 19.2-316. Evaluation and report prior to determining punishment