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1998 SESSION


CHAPTER 684
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4 as it is currently effective and as it may become effective and §§ 16.1-279.1, 18.2-119, 19.2-81, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 and 19.2-152.10 of the Code of Virginia, relating to protective orders; family abuse; stalking.
[H 583]
Approved April 16, 1998

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4 as it is currently effective and as it may become effective and §§ 16.1-279.1, 18.2-119, 19.2-81, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 and 19.2-152.10 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 16.1-253.1. Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality.

A. Upon the filing of a petition alleging that the petitioner is or has been, within a reasonable period of time, subjected to family abuse, the court may issue a preliminary protective order against an allegedly abusing person in order to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or any family or household member of the petitioner. The order may be issued in an ex parte proceeding upon good cause shown when the petition is supported by an affidavit or sworn testimony before the judge or intake officer. Immediate and present danger of family abuse or evidence sufficient to establish probable cause that family abuse has recently occurred shall constitute good cause.

A preliminary protective order may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the allegedly abusing person:

1. Prohibiting acts of family abuse.

2. Prohibiting such other contacts between the parties as the court deems appropriate.

3. Prohibiting such other contacts with the allegedly abused family or household member as the court deems necessary to protect the safety of such persons.

4. Granting the petitioner possession of the premises occupied by the parties to the exclusion of the allegedly abusing person; however, no such grant of possession shall affect title to any real or personal property.

5. Granting the petitioner temporary possession or use of a motor vehicle jointly owned by the parties to the exclusion of the allegedly abusing person; however, no such grant of possession or use shall affect title to the vehicle.

6. Requiring that the allegedly abusing person provide suitable alternative housing for the petitioner and any other family or household member, where appropriate.

B. As soon as practicable after receipt of the order by a local law-enforcement agency for service, the agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where feasible and practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia criminal information network system. A copy of a preliminary protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the allegedly abusing person in person as provided in § 16.1-264, and upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service into the Virginia crime criminal information network system. The preliminary order shall specify a date for the full hearing. The hearing shall be held within fifteen days of the issuance of the preliminary order. Upon request after the order is issued, the clerk shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the order and information regarding the date and time of service. The order shall further specify that the person served either party may at any time file a motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. The hearing on the motion shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

Upon receipt of the return of service or other proof of service pursuant to subsection C of § 16.1-264, the clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the preliminary protective order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter into the Virginia crime criminal information network system any other information required by the State Police which was not previously entered. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered in the Virginia crime criminal information network system as described above.

C. The preliminary order is effective upon personal service on the allegedly abusing person. Except as otherwise provided in § 16.1-253.2, a violation of the order shall constitute contempt of court.

D. At a full hearing on the petition, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to § 16.1-279.1 if the court finds that the petitioner has proven the allegation of family abuse by a preponderance of the evidence.

E. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

§ 16.1-253.4. Emergency protective orders authorized in cases of family abuse; confidentiality.

A. Any judge of a circuit court, general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court or magistrate may issue a written or oral ex parte emergency protective order pursuant to this section in order to protect the health or safety of any person.

B. When a law-enforcement officer or an allegedly abused person asserts under oath to a judge or magistrate, and on that assertion or other evidence the judge or magistrate finds that (i) a warrant for a violation of § 18.2-57.2 has been issued and there is probable danger of further acts of family abuse against a family or household member by the respondent or (ii) reasonable grounds exist to believe that the respondent has committed family abuse and there is probable danger of a further such offense against a family or household member by the respondent, the judge or magistrate shall issue an ex parte emergency protective order imposing one or more of the following conditions on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting acts of family abuse;

2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with family or household members of the respondent as the judge or magistrate deems necessary to protect the safety of such persons; and

3. Granting the family or household member possession of the premises occupied by the parties to the exclusion of the respondent; however, no such grant of possession shall affect title to any real or personal property.

C. An emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall expire at 5 p.m. on the next business day that the juvenile and domestic relations court is in session or seventy-two hours after issuance, whichever is later. If the expiration of the seventy-two-hour period occurs at a time that the court is not in session, the emergency protective order shall be extended until 5 p.m. of the next business day that the juvenile and domestic relations district court is in session. The respondent may at any time file a motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. The hearing on the motion shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

D. A law-enforcement officer may request an emergency protective order pursuant to this section orally, in person or by electronic means, and the judge of a circuit court, general district court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court or a magistrate may issue an oral emergency protective order. An oral emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be reduced to writing, by the law-enforcement officer requesting the order or the magistrate on a preprinted form approved and provided by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The completed form shall include a statement of the grounds for the order asserted by the officer or the allegedly abused person.

E. As soon as practicable after receipt of the order by a local law-enforcement agency for service, the agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. A copy of an emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be served upon the respondent as soon as possible, and upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service into the Virginia crime criminal information network system. One copy of the order shall be given to the allegedly abused person when it is issued, and one copy shall be filed with the written report required by § 19.2-81.3 C. The original copy shall be forwarded for verification to verified by the judge or magistrate who issued the order and then filed with the clerk of the juvenile and domestic relations district court within five business days of the issuance of the order. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered in the system as described above. Upon request, the clerk shall provide the allegedly abused person with information regarding the date and time of service.

F. The availability of an emergency protective order shall not be affected by the fact that the family or household member left the premises to avoid the danger of family abuse by the respondent.

G. The issuance of an emergency protective order shall not be considered evidence of any wrongdoing by the respondent.

H. As used in this section, a "law-enforcement officer" means any (i) full-time or part-time employee of a police department or sheriff's office which is part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and who is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the penal, traffic or highway laws of the Commonwealth and (ii) member of an auxiliary police force established pursuant to subsection B of § 15.2-1731. Part-time employees are compensated officers who are not full-time employees as defined by the employing police department or sheriff's office.

I. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

§ 16.1-253.4. (Delayed effective date) Emergency protective orders authorized in certain cases; penalty.

A. Any judge of a circuit court, general district court, family court or magistrate may issue a written or oral ex parte emergency protective order pursuant to this section in order to protect the health or safety of any person.

B. When a law-enforcement officer or an allegedly abused person asserts under oath to a judge or magistrate, and on that assertion or other evidence the judge or magistrate finds that (i) a warrant for a violation of § 18.2-57.2 has been issued and there is probable danger of further acts of family abuse against a family or household member by the respondent or (ii) reasonable grounds exist to believe that the respondent has committed family abuse and there is probable danger of a further such offense against a family or household member by the respondent, the judge or magistrate may issue an ex parte emergency protective order imposing one or more of the following conditions on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting acts of family abuse;

2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with family or household members as the judge or magistrate deems necessary to protect the safety of such persons; and

3. Granting the family or household member possession of the premises occupied by the parties to the exclusion of the respondent; however, no such grant of possession shall affect title to any real or personal property.

C. An emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall expire at 5 p.m. on the next business day that the family court sits in the jurisdiction or seventy-two hours after issuance, whichever is later. If the expiration of the seventy-two-hour period occurs at a time that the court is not in session, the emergency protective order shall be extended until 5 p.m. of the next business day that the family court is in session. The respondent may at any time file a motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. The hearing on the motion shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

D. A law-enforcement officer may request an emergency protective order pursuant to this section orally, in person or by electronic means, and the judge of a circuit court, general district court, or family court or a magistrate may issue an oral emergency protective order. An oral emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be reduced to writing, by the law-enforcement officer requesting the order or by the magistrate, on a preprinted form approved and provided by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The completed form shall include a statement of the grounds for the order asserted by the officer or the allegedly abused person.

E. As soon as practicable after receipt of the order by a local law-enforcement agency for service, the agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. A copy of an emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be served upon the respondent as soon as possible, and upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service, into the Virginia crime criminal information network system. One copy of the order shall be given to the allegedly abused person when it is issued, and one copy shall be filed with the written report required by § 19.2-81.3 C. The original copy shall be forwarded for verification to verified by the judge or magistrate who issued the order and then filed with the clerk of the family court within five business days of the issuance of the order. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered in the system as described above. Upon request, the clerk shall provide the allegedly abused person with information regarding the date and time of service.

F. The availability of an emergency protective order shall not be affected by the fact that the family or household member left the premises to avoid the danger of family abuse by the respondent.

G. The issuance of an emergency protective order shall not be considered evidence of any wrongdoing by the respondent.

H. As used in this section, a "law-enforcement officer" means any (i) full-time or part-time employee of a police department or sheriff's office which is part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and who is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the penal, traffic or highway laws of the Commonwealth and (ii) member of an auxiliary police force established pursuant to subsection B of § 15.2-1731. Part-time employees are compensated officers who are not full-time employees as defined by the employing police department or sheriff's office.

I. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

§ 16.1-279.1. Protective order in cases of family abuse.

A. In cases of family abuse, the court may issue a protective order to protect the health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of the petitioner. A protective order issued under this section may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting acts of family abuse;

2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family or household members of the petitioner as the court deems necessary for the health or safety of such persons;

3. Granting the petitioner possession of the residence occupied by the parties to the exclusion of the respondent; however, no such grant of possession shall affect title to any real or personal property;

4. Granting the petitioner temporary possession or use of a motor vehicle jointly owned by the parties to the exclusion of the respondent; however, no such grant of possession or use shall affect title to the vehicle;

5. Requiring that the respondent provide suitable alternative housing for the petitioner and, if appropriate, any other family or household member;

6. Ordering the respondent to participate in treatment, counseling or other programs as the court deems appropriate; and

7. Any other relief necessary for the protection of the petitioner and family or household members of the petitioner, including a provision for temporary custody or visitation of a minor child.

B. The protective order may be issued for a specified period; however, unless otherwise authorized by law, a protective order may not be issued under this section for a period longer than two years. A copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent and provided to the petitioner as soon as possible. The clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where feasible and practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia criminal information network system. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered in the system as described above.

C. Except as otherwise provided in § 16.1-253.2, a violation of a protective order issued under this section shall constitute contempt of court.

D. The court may assess costs and attorneys' fees against either party regardless of whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing.

E. Any judgment, order or decree, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in another state, the United States or any of its territories, possessions or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by any tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions specified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced in the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing jurisdiction to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced sufficient to protect such person's due process rights and consistent with federal law. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file the order in any juvenile and domestic relations district court or family court by filing with the court an attested or exemplified copy of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where feasible and practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia criminal information network system.

Upon inquiry by any law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk shall make a copy available of any foreign order filed with that court. A law-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy of a foreign protective order or other suitable evidence which has been provided to him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person protected by the order that the order remains in effect.

F. Either party may at any time file a written motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to dissolve or modify a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

G. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

§ 18.2-119. Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties.

If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by such persons or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to §§ 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, or § 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or § 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to § 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of §§ 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.

§ 19.2-81. Arrest without warrant authorized in certain cases.

The following officers shall have the powers of arrest as provided in this section:

1. Members of the State Police force of the Commonwealth,

2. Sheriffs of the various counties and cities, and their deputies,

3. Members of any county police force or any duly constituted police force of any city or town of the Commonwealth,

4. The Commissioner, members and employees of the Marine Resources Commission granted the power of arrest pursuant to § 28.2-900,

5. Regular game wardens appointed pursuant to § 29.1-200,

6. United States Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Reserve commissioned, warrant, and petty officers authorized under § 29.1-205 to make arrests, and

7. The special policemen of the counties as provided by § 15.1-144 15.2-1737, provided such officers are in uniform, or displaying a badge of office.

Such officers may arrest, without a warrant, any person who commits any crime in the presence of the officer and any person whom he has reasonable grounds or probable cause to suspect of having committed a felony not in his presence.

Any such officer may arrest without a warrant any person whom the officer has probable cause to suspect of operating a watercraft or motor boat (i) while intoxicated in violation of subsection B of § 29.1-738 or (ii) in violation of an order issued pursuant to § 29.1-738.4, in his presence, and may thereafter transfer custody of the person suspected of the violation to another officer, who may obtain a warrant based upon statements made to him by the arresting officer.

Any such officer may, at the scene of any accident involving a motor vehicle, watercraft as defined in § 29.1-712 or motorboat, or at any hospital or medical facility to which any person involved in such accident has been transported, or in the apprehension of any person charged with the theft of any motor vehicle, on any of the highways or waters of the Commonwealth, upon reasonable grounds to believe, based upon personal investigation, including information obtained from eyewitnesses, that a crime has been committed by any person then and there present, apprehend such person without a warrant of arrest.

Such officers may arrest, without a warrant, persons duly charged with a crime in another jurisdiction upon receipt of a photocopy of a warrant, telegram, computer printout, facsimile printout, a radio, telephone or teletype message, in which photocopy of a warrant, telegram, computer printout, facsimile printout, radio, telephone or teletype message shall be given the name or a reasonably accurate description of such person wanted and the crime alleged.

Such officers may arrest, without a warrant, for an alleged misdemeanor not committed in his presence when the officer receives a radio message from his department or other law-enforcement agency within the Commonwealth that a warrant for such offense is on file.

Such officers may also arrest without a warrant for an alleged misdemeanor not committed in their presence involving (i) shoplifting in violation of § 18.2-96 or § 18.2-103 or a similar local ordinance, (ii) carrying a weapon on school property in violation of § 18.2-308.1, (iii) assault and battery, or (iv) brandishing a firearm in violation of § 18.2-282, or (v) destruction of property in violation of § 18.2-137, when such property is located on premises used for business or commercial purposes, or a similar local ordinance, when any such arrest is based on probable cause upon reasonable complaint of the person who observed the alleged offense. The arresting officer may issue a summons to any person arrested under this section for a misdemeanor violation involving shoplifting.

§ 19.2-152.8. Emergency protective orders authorized in cases of stalking.

A. Any judge of a circuit court, general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court or magistrate may issue a written or oral ex parte emergency protective order pursuant to this section in order to protect the health or safety of any person.

B. When a law-enforcement officer or an allegedly stalked person asserts under oath to a judge or magistrate that such person is being or has been subjected to stalking and on that assertion or other evidence the judge or magistrate finds that (i) there is probable danger of a further such offense being committed by the respondent against the petitioner allegedly stalked person, and (ii) a warrant for the arrest of the respondent has been issued, the judge or magistrate shall issue an ex parte emergency protective order imposing one or more of the following conditions on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting acts of stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3;

2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner allegedly stalked person or the petitioner's such person's family or household members as the judge or magistrate deems necessary to protect the safety of such persons; and

3. Such other conditions as the judge or magistrate deems necessary to prevent further acts of stalking, communication or other contact by the respondent.

C. An emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall expire at 5 p.m. on the next business day that the court is in session or seventy-two hours after issuance, whichever is later. If the expiration of the seventy-two-hour period occurs at a time that the court is not in session, the emergency protective order shall be extended until 5 p.m. of the next business day that the court which issued the order is in session. The respondent may at any time file a motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. The hearing on the motion shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

D. A law-enforcement officer may request an emergency protective order pursuant to this section orally, in person or by electronic means, and the judge of a circuit court, general district court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court or a magistrate may issue an oral emergency protective order. An oral emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be reduced to writing, by the law-enforcement officer requesting the order or the magistrate, on a preprinted form approved and provided by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The completed form shall include a statement of the grounds for the order asserted by the officer or the allegedly stalked person.

E. As soon as practicable after receipt of the order by a local law-enforcement agency for service, the agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. A copy of an emergency protective order issued pursuant to this section shall be served upon the respondent as soon as possible, and upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service into the Virginia crime criminal information network system. One copy of the order shall be given to the allegedly stalked person when it is issued. The original copy shall be forwarded for verification to verified by the judge or magistrate who issued the order and then filed with the clerk of the general appropriate district court within five business days of the issuance of the order. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered in the system as described above. Upon request, the clerk shall provide the allegedly stalked person with information regarding the date and time of service.

F. The issuance of an emergency protective order shall not be considered evidence of any wrongdoing by the respondent.

G. As used in this section, a "law-enforcement officer" means any (i) person who is a full-time or part-time employee of a police department or sheriff's office which is part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and who is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the penal, traffic or highway laws of the Commonwealth and (ii) member of an auxiliary police force established pursuant to subsection B of § 15.2-1731. Part-time employees are compensated officers who are not full-time employees as defined by the employing police department or sheriff's office.

H. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

H. I. No fee shall be charged for filing or serving any petition pursuant to this section.

§ 19.2-152.9. Preliminary protective orders in cases of stalking.

A. Upon the filing of a petition alleging that (i) the petitioner is or has been, within a reasonable period of time, subjected to stalking and (ii) a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the alleged stalker, the court may issue a preliminary protective order against the alleged stalker in order to protect the health and safety of the petitioner or any family or household member of the petitioner. The order may be issued in an ex parte proceeding upon good cause shown when the petition is supported by an affidavit or sworn testimony before the judge or intake officer. Immediate and present danger of stalking or evidence sufficient to establish probable cause that stalking has recently occurred shall constitute good cause.

A preliminary protective order may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting acts of stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3;

2. Prohibiting such other contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or the petitioner's family or household members as the court deems necessary for the health and safety of such persons; and

3. Such other conditions as the court deems necessary to prevent further acts of stalking, communication or other contact by the respondent.

B. As soon as practicable after receipt of the order by a local law-enforcement agency for service, the agency shall enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where feasible and practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia criminal information network system. A copy of a preliminary protective order shall be served as soon as possible on the alleged stalker in person as provided in § 16.1-264, and upon service, the agency making service shall enter the date and time of service into the Virginia crime criminal information network system. The preliminary order shall specify a date for the full hearing. The hearing shall be held within fifteen days of the issuance of the preliminary order. Upon request after the order is issued, the clerk shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the order and information regarding the date and time of service. The order shall further specify that the person served either party may at any time file a motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. The hearing on the motion shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

Upon receipt of the return of service or other proof of service pursuant to subsection C of § 16.1-264, the clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the preliminary protective order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter into the Virginia crime criminal information network system any other information required by the State Police which was not previously entered. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered into the Virginia crime criminal information network system as described above.

C. The preliminary order is effective upon personal service on the alleged stalker. Except as otherwise provided in § 16.1-253.2, a violation of the order shall constitute contempt of court.

D. At a full hearing on the petition, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.10 if the court finds that the petitioner has proven the allegation of stalking by a preponderance of the evidence.

E. No fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions pursuant to this section.

F. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.

§ 19.2-152.10. Protective order in cases of stalking.

A. The court may issue a protective order pursuant to this chapter to protect the health and safety of the petitioner and family or household members of a petitioner upon (i) the issuance of a warrant for a violation of § 18.2-60.3, (ii) a hearing held pursuant to subsection D of § 19.2-152.9, or (iii) a conviction for a violation of § 18.2-60.3. A protective order issued under this section may include any one or more of the following conditions to be imposed on the respondent:

1. Prohibiting further acts of stalking in violation of § 18.2-60.3;

2. Prohibiting such contacts by the respondent with the petitioner or family or household members of the petitioner as the court deems necessary for the health or safety of such persons;

3. Any other relief necessary to prevent further acts of stalking, communication or other contact by the respondent.

B. The protective order may be issued for a specified period; however, unless otherwise authorized by law, a protective order may not be issued under this section for a period longer than two years. A copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent and provided to the petitioner as soon as possible. The clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Where feasible and practical, the court may transfer information electronically to the Virginia criminal information network system. If the order is later dissolved or modified, a copy of the dissolution or modification order shall also be attested, forwarded and entered into the system as described above.

C. Except as otherwise provided, a violation of a protective order issued under this section shall constitute contempt of court.

D. The court may assess costs and attorneys' fees against either party regardless of whether an order of protection has been issued as a result of a full hearing.

E. Any judgment, order or decree, whether permanent or temporary, issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in another state, the United States or any of its territories, possessions or Commonwealths, the District of Columbia or by any tribal court of appropriate jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against or contact or communication with or physical proximity to another person, including any of the conditions specified in subsection A, shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced in the Commonwealth as if it were an order of the Commonwealth, provided reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard were given by the issuing jurisdiction to the person against whom the order is sought to be enforced sufficient to protect such person's due process rights and consistent with federal law. A person entitled to protection under such a foreign order may file the order in any appropriate district court by filing with the court, an attested or exemplified copy of the order. Upon such a filing, the clerk shall forward forthwith an attested copy of the order to the local police department or sheriff's office which shall, on the date of receipt, enter the name of the person subject to the order and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the Virginia crime criminal information network system established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52.

Upon inquiry by any law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, the clerk shall make a copy available of any foreign order filed with that court. A law-enforcement officer may, in the performance of his duties, rely upon a copy of a foreign protective order or other suitable evidence which has been provided to him by any source and may also rely upon the statement of any person protected by the order that the order remains in effect.

F. Either party may at any time file a written motion with the court requesting a hearing to dissolve or modify the order. Proceedings to modify or dissolve a protective order shall be given precedence on the docket of the court.

G. No fees shall be charged for filing or serving petitions pursuant to this section.

H. As used in this section, "copy" includes a facsimile copy.