Virginia law § 19.2-59.1 restricts strip searches of individuals arrested for minor offenses, allowing them only when there's reasonable suspicion of concealment of a weapon. The law mandates that searches be conducted by same-sex officers, in private, and under sanitary conditions, with specific procedures for cavity searches. It also requires written policies by law enforcement agencies regarding strip searches.
A strip search is only permitted if there is reasonable cause to believe the individual is concealing a weapon, and only for minor offenses like traffic violations or misdemeanors punishable by 30 days or less.
Strip searches must be performed by persons of the same sex as the individual being searched and under private conditions where the search cannot be observed by others.
Yes, cavity searches must be conducted under sanitary conditions and by or under the supervision of medically trained personnel, excluding the mouth.
No, the law does not apply when a person is taken into custody by court order or remanded to law enforcement through a court process.