Va. Code » Title 8.01. Civil Remedies and Procedure » Chapter 25. Extraordinary Writs » Article 3. Habeas Corpus
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-660 (2026)

When affidavits may be read

✓ current as of May 2026
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In the discretion of the court or judge before whom the petitioner is brought, the affidavits of witnesses taken by either party, on reasonable notice to the other, may be read as evidence.

Code 1950, § 8-601; 1977, c. 617.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1983–2025 · leading case: Yeatts v. Murray, 455 S.E.2d 18 (Va. 1995).
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Yeatts v. Murray, 455 S.E.2d 18 (Va. 1995). · cites it 12× “The respondent, however, argues that Code § 8.01-660 permits a habeas court to consider affidavits when deciding a motion to dismiss.”
Lenz v. Warden of the Sussex I State Prison, 593 S.E.2d 292 (Va. 2004). · cites it 8× “He suggests that because Code § 8.01-660 allows the use of affidavits as evidence in a habeas corpus proceeding and because at least some of the affiants did testify, the circuit court should have either found that the affidavits were credible testimony or resolved any…”
Clarke v. Galdamez, 789 S.E.2d 106 (Va. 2016). · cites it 6× “See Code § 8.01-654(B)(4). In addition, Code § 8.”
Hill v. Commonwealth, 379 S.E.2d 134 (Va. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 4× “Using affidavits where appropriate (Code § 8.01-660) or a plenary hearing when necessary (Code § 8.”
Smith v. Brown, 781 S.E.2d 744 (Va. 2016). · cites it 2× “01-654(B)(4) authorizes the consideration of "recorded matters," including records from the prior criminal trial that resulted in the challenged conviction. Code § 8.”
Walker v. Mitchell, 299 S.E.2d 698 (Va. 1983). · cites it 2× “Using affidavits where appropriate (Code § 8.01-660) or a plenary hearing when necessary (Code § 8.”
Bonhom v. Angelone, 58 Va. Cir. 358 (2002). · cites it 4× “However, the statutory authority for the Court’s ruling, Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-660 , allows the use of such affidavits “in the discretion of the court or judge before whom the petition is brought____” In Yeatts , the Supreme Court quoted from its earlier decision in Walker v.”
Clarke v. Galdamez (Va. 2016). · cites it 6× “Finally, Code § 8.01-660 grants the habeas court discretion to consider “affidavits of witnesses” as substantive evidence.”
Watson-Buisson v. Dotson (E.D. Va. 2025). · cites it 4× “6 Virginia Code § 8.01-660, provides that “[iJ]n the discretion of the court or judge before whom the petitioner is brought, the affidavits of witnesses taken by either party, on reasonable notice to the other, may be read as evidence.”
Lewis v. Dotson (E.D. Va. 2024). · cites it 3× “See Va. Code § 8.01-660; Lafler, 566 U.S. at 171 ; Blackledge, 431 USS.”
Jones v. Buckingham Dep't of Corr., Commonwealth of Virginia (W.D. Va. 2025). · cites it 3× “Va. Code § 8.01-660; Yeatts v. Murray, 455 S.”
Cridler-Smith v. Clarke (Va. 2025). · cites it 2× “Code § 8.01-660 provides that “[i]n the discretion of the court or judge before whom the petitioner is brought, the affidavits of witnesses taken by either party, on reasonable notice to the other, may be read as evidence.”
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