Title 19.2. Criminal Procedure
Chapter 21. Recovery of Fines and Penalties
This section has more than one version with varying effective dates. Scroll down to see all versions.
§ 19.2-341. (Effective until January 1, 2027) Penalties other than fines; how recovered; in what name; limitation of actions.
When any statute or ordinance prescribes a monetary penalty other than a fine, unless it is otherwise expressly provided or would be inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly, it shall be paid to the Commonwealth if prescribed by a statute and paid to the locality if prescribed by an ordinance and recoverable by warrant, presentment, indictment, or information. Penalties imposed and costs taxed in any such proceeding shall constitute a judgment and, if not paid at the time they are imposed, execution may issue thereon in the same manner as upon any other monetary judgment. No such proceeding of any nature, however, shall be brought or had for the recovery of such a penalty or costs due the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, unless within 60 years from the date of the offense or delinquency giving rise to imposition of such penalty if imposed by a circuit court or within 30 years if imposed by a general district court.
Code 1950, § 19.1-324; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1983, c. 499; 1995, c. 438; 2018, c. 736.
§ 19.2-341. (Effective January 1, 2027) Penalties other than fines; how recovered; in what name; limitation of actions.
A. When any statute or ordinance prescribes a monetary penalty other than a fine, unless it is otherwise expressly provided or would be inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly, it shall be paid to the Commonwealth if prescribed by a statute and paid to the locality if prescribed by an ordinance and recoverable by warrant, presentment, indictment, or information. Penalties imposed and costs taxed in any such proceeding shall constitute a judgment and, if not paid at the time they are imposed, execution may issue thereon in the same manner as upon any other monetary judgment. No such proceeding of any nature, however, shall be brought or had for the recovery of such a penalty or costs due the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, unless within 10 years from the date of the judgment.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the expiration of the period of limitations provided by subsection A, no action shall be brought to collect the debt.
C. The period of limitations provided in subsection A shall apply regardless of the method of collection applicable pursuant to § 19.2-349 and shall not be extended or revived on account of a partial payment, a written or verbal affirmation of the debt, or a change in collection method. Upon the expiration of the period of limitations, it shall not be revived or restarted by any means.
Code 1950, § 19.1-324; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 1983, c. 499; 1995, c. 438; 2018, c. 736; 2026, cc. 355, 356.
