Chap. 408.—An ACT to amend section 3988 of the code of Virginia, in relation
to giving information of the violation of penal laws to the attorney for the
commonwealth.

Approved February 26, 1894.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
three thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight of the code of Vir-
ginia, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, be amended and re-enacted
so as to read as follows:

§ 3988. Commissioners, sheriffs, constables, and so forth, to give
information of violation of penal laws to attorney for the common-
wealth. Every commissioner of the revenue, sheriff, constable or
other officer shall give information of the violation of any penal law
to the attorney for the commonwealth, who shall forthwith institute
and prosecute all necessary and proper proceedings in such case,
whether in the name of the commonwealth or of a county or corpo-
ration, and may in such case issue, or cause to be issued, a summons
for any witness he may deem material to give evidence before the
court or grand jury. It shall, however, be unlawful for any attorney
for the commonwealth to go before any grand jury during their de-
liberations, except when duly sworn, to testify asa witness; but he
may advise the foreman of the grand jury, or any member or mem-
bers thereof, in relation to the discharge of their duties.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.