Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-69.24 (2026)

Contempt of court

✓ current as of May 2026
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A. A judge of a district court shall have the same powers and jurisdiction as a judge of a circuit court to punish summarily for contempt, but in no case shall the fine exceed $250 and imprisonment exceed 10 days for the same contempt. From any such fine or sentence, there shall be an appeal of right within the period prescribed in this title and to the court or courts designated therein for appeals in other cases, and the proceedings on such appeal shall conform in all respects to the provisions of §§ 18.2-456 through 18.2-459.

B. Any person charged with a felony offense, misdemeanor offense, or released on a summons pursuant to § 19.2-73 or 19.2-74 who fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required shall not be punished for contempt under this provision but may be punished for such contempt under subdivision A 6 of § 18.2-456.

1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2000, cc. 164, 185; 2019, c. 708.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 1973–2015 · leading case: Gilman v. Com., 657 S.E.2d 474 (Va. 2008).
Gilman v. Com., 657 S.E.2d 474 (Va. 2008). · cites it 12× “We first consider the general nature of the contempt power of courts and the basic principles that govern summary contempt adjudications.”
Anderson v. Denny, 365 F. Supp. 1254 (W.D. Va. 1973). · cites it 2× “These include the power to punish for contempt, Va.Code Ann. § 16.1-69.24 (Supp. 1973); the power to issue summonses, warrants and subpoenas, Va.”
B.P. v. Commonwealth, 568 S.E.2d 412 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). “19 has not been complied with, (ii) for contempt of court pursuant to § 16.1-69.24 or as otherwise provided in this section, or (iii) by both.”
BP v. Com., 568 S.E.2d 412 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). “19 has not been complied with, (ii) for contempt of court pursuant to § 16.1-69.24 or as otherwise provided in this section, or (iii) by both.”
DRHI, Inc. v. Hanback (Va. 2014). · cites it 2× “3 Code § 16.1-69.24 provides for appeals of district courts' judgments for civil contempt.”
Ashley Unger, s/k/a Ashley Michelle Unger v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “See Code §§ 16.1-69.24, 18.2-456 to -458; Parham, 60 Va.”
Patricia Hanson, etc. v. Commonwealth (Va. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “On February 6, 1995, the juvenile court issued a second show cause summons against Hanson pursuant to Code § 16.1-69.24 charging her with contempt for failing to cooperate with the court service unit by removing her daughter from the Presbyterian Home before the program was…”
Mason S. Thompson v. Commonwealth, etc (Va. Ct. App. 2003). “If the court finds that respondent has failed to perform or comply with such order, the court may also order the commitment of the person as provided in § 20-115 or the court may, in its discretion, impose a sentence of up to twelve months in jail, notwithstanding the provisions…”
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