Virginia criminal charge
Covering a security camera in a correctional facility in Virginia
Covering a security camera in a correctional facility is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2. 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. § 18.2-473.2.
What is the penalty for covering a security camera in a correctional facility in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Covering a security camera without permission — A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera without the permission of the sheriff, jail superintendent, warden, or Director of the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Covering a security camera without permission — A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera without the permission of the sheriff, jail superintendent, warden, or Director of the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Covering a security camera to inhibit recording of a felony — A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera with the intent of inhibiting or preventing it from recording or transmitting an image of the commission of a felony.; 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 (Covering a security camera to inhibit recording of a felony — A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera with the intent of inhibiting or preventing it from recording or transmitting an image of the commission of a felony.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is covering a security camera in a correctional facility classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covering a security camera without permission | Class 1 Misdemeanor | A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera without the permission of the sheriff, jail superintendent, warden, or Director of the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2B |
| Covering a security camera to inhibit recording of a felony | Class 6 Felony | A person intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable, or otherwise obscures a security camera with the intent of inhibiting or preventing it from recording or transmitting an image of the commission of a felony. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2C |
Common questions about covering a security camera in a correctional facility in Virginia
Is covering a security camera in a correctional facility a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: covering a security camera in a correctional facility ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2.
Covering a security camera without permission: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2B) · Covering a security camera to inhibit recording of a felony: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2C)
What are the penalties for covering a security camera in a correctional facility in Virginia?
Penalties for covering a security camera in a correctional facility 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 covering a security camera in a correctional facility?
Covering a security camera in a correctional facility is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-473.2 (Covering a security camera in a correctional facility; 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.