Rule 2:615 - Exclusion of Witnesses (Rule 2:615(a) derived from Code Sections 8.01- 375, 19.2-184, and 19.2-265.1; Rule 2:615(b) derived from Code Section 8.01-375; and Rule 2:615(c) derived from Code Section 19.2-265.1)(a) The court, in a civil or criminal case, may on its own motion and must on the motion of any party, require the exclusion of every witness including, but not limited to, police officers or other investigators. The court may also order that each excluded witness be kept separate from all other witnesses. But (i) each named party who is an individual, (ii) one officer or agent of each party which is a public or private corporation, partnership, limited liability entity, association, governmental agency, or other entity, (iii) an attorney alleged in a habeas corpus proceeding to have acted ineffectively, and (iv) in an unlawful detainer action filed in general district court, a managing agent as defined in § 55.1-1200, are exempt from the exclusion as a matter of right.(b) Where expert witnesses are to testify in the case, the court may, at the request of all parties, allow one expert witness for each party to remain in the courtroom; however, in cases pertaining to the distribution of marital property pursuant to § 20-107.3 or the determination of child or spousal support pursuant to § 20-108.1, the court may, upon motion of any party, allow one expert witness for each party to remain in the courtroom throughout the hearing.(c) Any victim as defined in Code § 19.2-11.01 who is to be called as a witness may remain in the courtroom and may not be excluded unless pursuant to Code § 19.2-265.01 the court determines, in its discretion, that the presence of the victim would impair the conduct of a fair trial.Adopted and promulgated by Order dated June 1, 2012; effective 7/1/2012; adopted and promulgated by order dated June 1, 2012; effective 7/1/2012; amended by order dated September 30, 2016, effective immediately; amended November 1, 2019, effective 1/1/2020; amended by order dated September 3, 2020, effective 9/3/2020; amended by order dated November 13, 2020, effective 7/1/2021; amended by order dated June 23, 2023, effective 7/1/2023.