A Virginia Show Cause Order Against Co-Defendant is a court order issued by a judge in the state of Virginia. It requires a co-defendant to appear in court to explain why they should not be held accountable for a crime or offense that another defendant has been charged with. This order is typically used when there is evidence that a co-defendant was involved in the crime, but they have not been formally charged. There are two types of Virginia Show Cause Order Against Co-Defendant: an Order to Show Cause and an Order of Nonsuit. An Order to Show Cause requires the co-defendant to appear in court and explain why they should not be held accountable for the crime. An Order of Nonsuit requires the court to dismiss the charges against the co-defendant, but allows the prosecutor to refile the charges if new evidence is uncovered.