Virginia criminal charge
Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate in Virginia
Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1.
What is the penalty for brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — general — Applies when a person points, holds, or brandishes a machete or bladed weapon with an exposed blade 12 inches or longer with intent to intimidate, occurring outside school-related locations.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — general — Applies when a person points, holds, or brandishes a machete or bladed weapon with an exposed blade 12 inches or longer with intent to intimidate, occurring outside school-related locations.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — on or near school property — Applies when the offense occurs upon or within 1,000 feet of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school's property.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — on or near school property — Applies when the offense occurs upon or within 1,000 feet of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school's property.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — general | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when a person points, holds, or brandishes a machete or bladed weapon with an exposed blade 12 inches or longer with intent to intimidate, occurring outside school-related locations. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1undefined |
| Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — on or near school property | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the offense occurs upon or within 1,000 feet of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school's property. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1undefined |
Common questions about brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate in Virginia
Is brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1.
Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — general: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1) · Brandishing a bladed weapon with intent to intimidate — on or near school property: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1)
What are the penalties for brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate in Virginia?
Penalties for brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate?
Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-282.1 (Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate; penalty).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.