If the defendant fails to appear in accordance with the writ, the court may hear proof of the allegations of the petition, and if the allegations are sustained, shall give judgment accordingly.
Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-640
Judgment when defendant fails to appear
Code 1950, § 8-862; 1977, c. 617.
Official source: Virginia Law Portal (LIS). Reproduced from public-domain Virginia statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.