Chap. 22.—An ACT to provide a rule of evidence in prosecutions under sections
3744 and 3745 of the Code, in cases of bribery.

Approved July 28, 1902.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That no person
prosecuted for giving, or offering to give, or accepting a bribe under sec-
tion thirty-seven hundred and forty-four and thirty-seven hundred and
forty-five of the Code shall be competent to testify against a witness for
the prosecution in such prosecution touching the giving, or offering to
give, or the accepting of any bribe committed by him prior to the com-
mencement of such prosecution; nor shall any witness called by the court
or Commonwealth’s attorney and giving evidence for the prosecution,
cither before the grand jury or the court in such prosecution, be ever
proceeded against for any offense of giving, or offering to give, or ac-
cepting a bribe committed by him at the time and place indicated in such
prosecution ; but such witness shall be compelled to testify, and for refus-
ing to answer questions may, by the court, be fined a sum not exceeding
five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six
months.

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