15.2-1713.1 - Local "Crime Stoppers" programs; confidentiality. - Virginia Statutes

§ 15.2-1713.1. Local "Crime Stoppers" programs; confidentiality.

A. As used in this section, a "Crime Stoppers," "crime solvers," "crimeline," or other similarly named organization is defined as a private,nonprofit Virginia corporation governed by a civilian volunteer board ofdirectors that is operated on a local or statewide level that (i) offersanonymity to persons providing information to the organization, (ii) acceptsand expends donations for cash rewards to persons who report to theorganization information about alleged criminal activity and that theorganization forwards to the appropriate law-enforcement agency, and (iii) isestablished as a cooperative alliance between the news media, the community,and law-enforcement officials.

B. Evidence of a communication or any information contained therein between aperson submitting a report of an alleged criminal act to a "Crime Stoppers"organization and the person who accepted the report on behalf of theorganization is not admissible in a court proceeding. Law-enforcementagencies receiving information concerning alleged criminal activity from a"Crime Stoppers" organization shall maintain confidentiality pursuant tosubsection E of § 2.2-3706.

(2003, cc. 754, 760.)