Virginia criminal charge
Burning or destroying meeting house, etc in Virginia
Burning or destroying meeting house, etc is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79. 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. § 18.2-79.
What is the penalty for burning or destroying meeting house, etc in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 20 years (Burning or destroying with person inside — The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when a person is inside the building.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Burning or destroying with person inside — The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when a person is inside the building.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 10 years (Burning or destroying with no person inside — The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when no person is inside the building.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Burning or destroying with no person inside — The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when no person is inside the building.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is burning or destroying meeting house, etc classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burning or destroying with person inside | Class 3 Felony | The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when a person is inside the building. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79undefined |
| Burning or destroying with no person inside | Class 4 Felony | The malicious burning or destruction of the specified building occurs at a time when no person is inside the building. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79undefined |
Common questions about burning or destroying meeting house, etc in Virginia
Is burning or destroying meeting house, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: burning or destroying meeting house, etc ranges from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79.
Burning or destroying with person inside: class 3 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79) · Burning or destroying with no person inside: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79)
What are the penalties for burning or destroying meeting house, etc in Virginia?
Penalties for burning or destroying meeting house, etc in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 4 felony up to a class 3 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers burning or destroying meeting house, etc?
Burning or destroying meeting house, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-79 (Burning or destroying meeting house, etc).
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.