Virginia criminal charge
Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel in Virginia
Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146. 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. § 18.2-146.
What is the penalty for breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (General breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing operation of vehicle/aircraft/boat/vessel — Applies when the offense does not involve the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (General breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing operation of vehicle/aircraft/boat/vessel — Applies when the offense does not involve the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Offense involving catalytic converter — Applies when the violation involves the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter or its parts.; 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 (Offense involving catalytic converter — Applies when the violation involves the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter or its parts.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| General breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing operation of vehicle/aircraft/boat/vessel | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when the offense does not involve the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146undefined |
| Offense involving catalytic converter | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the violation involves the breaking, injuring, tampering with, or removal of a catalytic converter or its parts. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146undefined |
Common questions about breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel in Virginia
Is breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146.
General breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing operation of vehicle/aircraft/boat/vessel: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146) · Offense involving catalytic converter: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146)
What are the penalties for breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel in Virginia?
Penalties for breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel 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 breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel?
Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-146 (Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel; penalties).
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.