16.1-262 - Form and content of petition.

§ 16.1-262. Form and content of petition.

The petition shall contain the facts below indicated:


"Commonwealth of Virginia, In re  ..." a
(name of child)
child under eighteen years of age.
"In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the county (or city)
 of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ." 

1. Statement of name, age, date of birth, if known, and residence of thechild.

2. Statement of names and residence of his parents, guardian, legal custodianor other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any.

3. Statement of names and residence of the nearest known relatives if noparent or guardian can be found.

4. Statement of the specific facts which allegedly bring the child within thepurview of this law. If the petition alleges a delinquent act, it shall makereference to the applicable sections of the Code which designate the act acrime.

5. Statement as to whether the child is in custody, and if so, the place ofdetention or shelter care, and the time the child was taken into custody, andthe time the child was placed in detention or shelter care.

If any of the facts herein required to be stated are not known by thepetitioner, the petition shall so state. The petition shall be verified,except that petitions filed under § 63.2-1237 may be signed by thepetitioner's counsel, and may be upon information.

In accordance with § 16.1-69.32, the Supreme Court may formulate rules forthe form and content of petitions in the juvenile court concerning mattersrelated to the custody, visitation or support of a child and the protection,support or maintenance of an adult where the provisions of this section arenot appropriate.

(Code 1950, § 16.1-165; 1956, c. 555; 1977, c. 559; 1979, c. 615; 1984, c.631; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 2000, c. 830.)