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Virginia legal term

Inpatient treatment in Virginia Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session

In Virginia criminal law, “Inpatient treatment” 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 “Inpatient treatment” mean in Virginia criminal law?

"Inpatient treatment" means placement for observation, diagnosis, or treatment of mental illness in a psychiatric hospital or in any other type of mental health facility determined by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to be substantially similar to a psychiatric hospital with respect to restrictions on freedom and therapeutic intrusiveness. (Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-336)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.