19.2-242 - Accused discharged from jail if not indicted in time. - Virginia Statutes

§ 19.2-242. Accused discharged from jail if not indicted in time.

A person in jail on a criminal charge shall be discharged from imprisonmentif a presentment, indictment or information be not found or filed against himbefore the end of the second term of the court at which he is held to answer,unless it appear to the court that material witnesses for the Commonwealthhave been enticed or kept away or are prevented from attendance by sicknessor inevitable accident, and except, also, in the cases provided in §§19.2-168.1 and 19.2-169.1. A discharge under the provisions of this sectionshall not, however, prevent a reincarceration after a presentment orindictment has been found.

(Code 1950, § 19.1-163; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.)