Chap. 349.—An ACT to amend and re-cnact sections 3999 and 5956 of the code of
Virginia, in relation to process for the arrest of persons charged with crime.

Approved February 17, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sections
three ranean er hundred ane fifty-five and three ‘thewand nine

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1undred and fifty-six of the code of Virginia he amended and _ re-en-
ted so as to read as follows:

§ 3955. A judge of a circuit, county or corporation court, in vaca-
ion as well as in term, ora justice, may issue process for the arrest of
. person charged with an offence: prorided, that in cities and towns in
rhich there i3 a police justice or mayor, who posscases the Jurisdiction and ex-
reises the powers of a justice of the peace tn eriminal matters, no such process
hall be wsued by any other justice unless such police justice or mayor ts absent
rom his corporation, or in his judgment ts too unwell, or so situated ax to
ender it improper for him to act; and provided, further, however, that in
he city of Richmond six of the justices of the peace shall be designated
»v the hustings court, and the city of Norfolk three justices of the peace.
o be appointed by the corporation court, by orders duly entered of re-
~ord, each of whom shall have the right to issue the forevoing warrant
or any such offence alleged to have been comniutted in any portion of
said city.

$ 3956. On complaint of a criminal offence to any such officer he
shi ‘ll examine on oath the complainant and any other witnesses, or when
-uch officer shall suspect that an olfence, punishable otherwise than by
fine, has been committed, he may, without formal complaint, issue a
summons for witnesses, and shall examine such witnesses; and if he sees
rood reason to believe that an offence has been committed shall issue his
warrant reciting the offence, and requiring the person accused to be ar-
rested and brought before a Justice of the county or corporation, author-
sed under the preceding section to issue such process ; and in the same war-
rant may require the oflicer to whom it is directed to summon such
Witnesses as shall be therein named to appear and give evidence on the
examination: provided, that tn erties and towus having a police force the war-
rant shall be directed “ To any policeman of said city (or town), and shall
he erecuted by the policeman inte whose hates it shall came or be delicered,

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