HB342: Law-enforcement officer; circumstances under which may detain person suspected of criminal activity.

HOUSE BILL NO. 342
Offered January 11, 2006
Prefiled January 6, 2006
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-82.1, relating to temporary detention by law-enforcement officer for suspicious behavior; penalty.
Patron-- Sherwood

Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-82.1 as follows:

§ 19.2-82.1. Temporary detention by law-enforcement officer of person suspected of criminal behavior; penalty.

A law-enforcement officer may detain any person whom the officer encounters under circumstances that reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime. A law-enforcement officer may detain the person pursuant to this section only to ascertain his identity and to inquire about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence. Any person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of the officer. Any person who fails to identify himself or who provides a false identity is in violation of this section and is guilty of obstruction of justice under subsection A of § 18.2-460.