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Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 1-257 (2026)

Written; writing; in writing

✓ current as of May 2026
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"Written," "writing," and "in writing" include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1 is or is not affixed.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.32; 1999, c. 145; 2000, c. 995; 2005, c. 839.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2009–2016 · leading case: Brown v. Commonwealth, 676 S.E.2d 326 (Va. Ct. App. 2009).
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Brown v. Commonwealth, 676 S.E.2d 326 (Va. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “Code § 1-257. From this we conclude that the best evidence rule in Virginia applies only to writings and, clearly, a videotape is not a writing as understood at common law and as defined by *117 Code § 1-257.”
Dennis v. PHC-Martinsville, Inc., 93 Va. Cir. 111 (Henry Cir. Ct. 2016). · cites it 3× “(I assume, for present purposes, that the CDM is a “writing,” under Va. Code § 1-257.) The CDM is supposed to be an electronic list of everything for which the hospital might charge a patient and a list of the current cost of each of those things.”
Deon Christopher Cobb v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “” Code § 1-257. No Virginia appellate court has yet determined whether a text message is a “writing” for purposes of the best evidence rule.”
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