CHAPTER 186

AN ACT to amend and reenact § 19-8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to
the time when prosecutions for certain crimes shall be commenced.

[H 424]
Approved February 29, 1956

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 19-3 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as

follows:
§ 19-3. Limitation of prosecutions.——A prosecution for committing,
or procuring another person to commit perjury, shall be commenced within
three years next after the perjury was committed; and a prosecution for
a misdemeanor, or any pecuniary fine, forfeiture, penalty or amercement,
shall be commenced within one year next after there was cause therefor,
except that a prosecution for petit larceny may be commenced within five
years, and for an attempt to produce abortion, within two years after
commission of the offense * ; and a prosecution for obtaining, attempting
to obtain, aiding or abetting in obtaining public assistance under the Vir-
ginia Public Welfare and Assistance Law by means of a willful false
statement, representation, impersonation or other fraudulent device shall
be commenced within five years next after the commission of the offense.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to extend to any person fleeing
from justice, or be construed to limit the time within which any prosecu-
tion may be commenced for desertion of a wife or child or for neglect or
mele or failure to provide for the support and maintenance of a wife
or child.