VA · rules
Va. Sup. Ct. R. 3A:17
Jury Verdicts
(a) Return. — In all criminal prosecutions, the verdict must be unanimous, in writing
and signed by the foreman, and returned by the jury in open court.
(b) Several Accused. — If there are two or more accused, the jury may return a
verdict as to any of them as to whom it can agree.
(c) Conviction of Lesser Offense. — The accused may be found not guilty of an
offense charged but guilty of any offense, or of an attempt to commit any offense, that is
substantially charged or necessarily included in the charge against the accused. When the
offense charged is a felony, the accused may be found not guilty thereof, but guilty of
being an accessory after the fact to that felony.
(d) Poll of Jury. — When a verdict is returned, the jury must be polled individually
at the request of any party or upon the court's own motion. If upon the poll, all jurors do
not agree, the jury may be directed to retire for further deliberations or may be
discharged.
History
Last amended by Order dated November 23, 2020; effective March 1, 2021.
Provenance
- Source
- www.vacourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-15
- Edition
- 2026-09-15
- Content hash
8353bebbac943ad45a1c700f609eb0aecdfb2882f7bb1f745b74b82bce70707b
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