Virginia legal term
Chief law-enforcement officer in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Chief law-enforcement officer” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Chief law-enforcement officer” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Chief law-enforcement officer" means the chief of police of cities and towns and sheriffs of counties, unless a political subdivision has otherwise designated its chief law-enforcement officer by appropriate resolution or ordinance, in which case the local designation shall be controlling. (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-390)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.