Proceso de Arresto y Citación en Virginia

Explicación Simple

Cuando alguien es acusado de un delito en Virginia, la policía puede arrestarlo en cualquier lugar del estado. Si no se presenta a la corte, el juicio puede seguir sin él, pero no lo enviarán a la cárcel de inmediato.

Es como cuando un profesor llama a un estudiante a la pizarra. Si el estudiante no va, el profesor puede seguir con la clase como si estuviera presente, pero no le pondrá una falta de inmediato.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de un pequeño delito. La policía puede arrestarlo en cualquier parte de Virginia si tiene una orden. Si Juan no se presenta en la corte, el juez puede decidir seguir con el juicio como si él estuviera allí, pero no lo enviará a la cárcel de inmediato.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-236 - Where process of arrest may be executed. When process of arrest in a criminal prosecution is issued from a court, either against a party accused or a witness, the officer to whom it is directed or delivered may execute it in any part of the Commonwealth. Code 1950, § 19.1-182; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495. Va. Code § 19.2-237 - Process on indictment or presentment for misdemeanor. On any indictment or presentment for a misdemeanor process shall be issued immediately. If the accused appear and plead to the charge, the trial shall proceed without delay, unless good cause for continuance be shown. If, in any misdemeanor case the accused fails to appear and plead, when required the court may either award a capias or proceed to trial in the same manner as if the accused had appeared, plead not guilty and waived trial by jury, provided, that the court shall not in any such case enforce a jail sentence. Code 1950, §§ 19.1-180, 19.1-184; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1979, c. 468. Va. Code § 19.2-238 - Summons against corporation; proceedings; expense of publication. A summons against a corporation to answer an indictment, presentment or information may be served as provided in §§ 8.01-299 through 8.01-301 ; and if the defendant after being so served fail to appear, the court may proceed to trial and judgment, without further process, as if the defendant had appeared, plead not guilty and waived trial by jury. And when, in any such case, publication of a copy of the process is required according to such sections, the expense of such publication may be certified by the court to the Comptroller, and shall be paid out of the state treasury; but the same shall be taxed with other costs and collected from the defendant, if judgment be for the Commonwealth, and