Virginia Code 2.2-2829: Disappearance of public officer; when office presumed vacant
Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the length of time after which the continued absence of a person shall create a presumption of death, when a petition alleging that a person who is a public officer elected by the people or by the General Assembly or appointed by the Governor has disappeared and after diligent search cannot be found is presented to a court of record in the city or county in which the last known residence of the person is located, and when it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance afford reasonable grounds for the belief that the person is dead, then the office held by such person shall be presumed to be vacant and the court shall enter an order to that effect.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-2829
- City: means an independent incorporated community which became a city as provided by law before noon on July 1, 1971, or which has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more and which has become a city as provided by law. See Virginia Code 1-208
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
1973, c. 168, § 2.1-17.1; 2001, c. 844.