Virginia Code § 19.2-327.4 allows the Supreme Court to order a circuit court to conduct a hearing and certify findings of fact when further development of the case is needed. The circuit court must complete the hearing within 90 days, and its findings, along with the record, must be filed with the Supreme Court within 30 days after the hearing. Relevant parties are to be served with the order detailing the purpose and evidence involved.
The Supreme Court can order a hearing if it determines that further development of the case is necessary based on petitions, records, or responses from the Attorney General.
The circuit court must conduct the hearing within 90 days after the Supreme Court issues the order.
The circuit court must certify its findings of fact and file the record and findings with the Supreme Court within 30 days after the hearing concludes.
The petitioner or their attorney, the attorney for the Commonwealth, and the Attorney General are served a copy of the order detailing the purpose and evidence for the hearing.