Chap. 350.—An ACT to amend and re-enact sections 3951 and 3953 of the code ot
Virginia in relation to search warrants.

Approved February 17, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
three thousand nine hundred and liftv-one, and three thousand nine
hundred and fifty-three of the code of Virginia, be amended and re.
enacted so as to read as follows :

§ 3901. If there be complaint on oath that personal property has beer
stolen, embezzled or obtained by false pretenses, and that it is believe
to be concealed ina particular house, or other place, the justice to whom
complamt is made, if satisfied that there is reasonable cause for suct
belief, shall issue a warrant to search such place for the property : pro:
vided that in any city or town in which there is a police justice or mayor
who possesses them jurisdiction and exercises theoqgwawers of a justice of
the peace in criminal matters, no such warrant shall be issued by any
other justice, unless such police justice or mayor is absent from his cor-
poration, or, in his judgment, is too unwell, or so situated as to render
it impossible for him to act ; and provided further, however, that in the
city of Richmond, six justices of the peace shall ‘be designated by the
hustings court, and the city of Norfolk three justices of the peace, to be
appointed by the corporation court, by orders duly entered of record,
each of whom shall have the right to issue the foregoing warrants for any
such offense alleged to have been committed in any portion of said city.

§$ 3955. Every search warrant shall be directed to the sheriff, sergeant
or constable of the county or corporation in which the place to be
searched is, unless herein otherwise provided, and shall command him
to search the place designated, either in day or night, and seize such
stolen property or other things, and bring the same, and the person in
whose possession they are found, before a justice or court having cog-
nizance of the case: provided, that in cities and towns having
a police force, the warrant shall be directed, ‘To any policeman
of said city (or town),’’? and shall be executed by the policeman into
whose hands it shall come or be delivered.

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