Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-273 (2026)

Court may require investigation of social history and preparation of victim impact statement

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. When a juvenile and domestic relations district court or circuit court has adjudicated any case involving a child subject to the jurisdiction of the court hereunder, except for a traffic violation, a violation of the game and fish law, or a violation of any city ordinance regulating surfing or establishing curfew violations, the court before final disposition thereof may require an investigation, which (i) shall include a drug screening and (ii) may, and for the purposes of subdivision A 14 or 17 of § 16.1-278.8 shall, include a social history of the physical, mental, and social conditions, including an assessment of any affiliation with a criminal street gang as defined in § 18.2-46.1, and personality of the child and the facts and circumstances surrounding the violation of law. However, in the case of a juvenile adjudicated delinquent on the basis of an act committed on or after January 1, 2000, which would be (a) a felony if committed by an adult, or (b) a violation under Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) or Article 1.1 (§ 18.2-265.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and such offense would be punishable as a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor if committed by an adult, the court shall order the juvenile to undergo a drug screening. If the drug screening indicates that the juvenile has a substance abuse or dependence problem, an assessment shall be completed by a certified substance abuse counselor as defined in § 54.1-3500 employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice or by a locally operated court services unit or by an individual employed by or currently under contract to such agencies and who is specifically trained to conduct such assessments under the supervision of such counselor.

B. The court also shall, on motion of the attorney for the Commonwealth with the consent of the victim, or may in its discretion, require the preparation of a victim impact statement in accordance with the provisions of § 19.2-299.1 if the court determines that the victim may have suffered significant physical, psychological, or economic injury as a result of the violation of law.

Code 1950, § 16.1-164; 1956, c. 555; 1972, cc. 672, 835; 1973, c. 440; 1977, cc. 559, 627; 1993, c. 603; 1998, cc. 783, 840; 1999, cc. 350, 891, 913; 2000, cc. 1020, 1041; 2005, c. 843; 2007, c. 510; 2014, cc. 20, 249; 2020, cc. 1285, 1286; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 550, 551.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1997–2010 · leading case: Brown v. Com., 688 S.E.2d 185 (Va. 2010).

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Brown v. Com., 688 S.E.2d 185 (Va. 2010). · cites it 2× “See Code § 16.1-273(A); Code § 16.1-308; Code § 16.”

Pannell v. Commonwealth, 540 S.E.2d 527 (Va. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “See Code § 16.1-273. Such report “shall include a drug screening .”

Beck v. Commonwealth, 484 S.E.2d 898 (Va. 1997). “1, to prepare a written victim impact statement prior to sentencing of a defendant and may provide information to any individual or agency charged with investigating the social history of a person or preparing a victim impact statement *383 under the provisions of §§ 16.1-273…”

Jud. Inquiry & Review Com'n of Va v. Taylor, 685 S.E.2d 51 (Va. 2009). · cites it 2× “At the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing on the assault charge, Judge Taylor, as authorized by Code § 16.1-273, ordered that a "social history," which she described as a "full background investigation," be prepared and set the matter for final disposition on May 24, 2007.”

— Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-273(A) — 2 cases

Brown v. Com., 688 S.E.2d 185 (Va. 2010). “See Code § 16.1-273(A); Code § 16.1-308; Code § 16.”

Pannell v. Commonwealth, 540 S.E.2d 527 (Va. Ct. App. 2001). “See Code § 16.1-273. Such report “shall include a drug screening .”

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