Virginia criminal charge
False caller identification information in Virginia
False caller identification information is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1. 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. § 18.2-429.1.
What is the penalty for false caller identification information in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $500 (False caller identification information — first offense — A person who, with intent to defraud, intimidate, or harass, causes a telephone to ring and causes false caller identification information to display on the called party's telephone, on a first offense.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(c))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (False caller identification information — second or subsequent offense — A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection where the prior conviction occurred before the date of the offense charged.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (False caller identification information — second or subsequent offense — A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection where the prior conviction occurred before the date of the offense charged.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(b))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is false caller identification information classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| False caller identification information — first offense | Class 3 Misdemeanor | A person who, with intent to defraud, intimidate, or harass, causes a telephone to ring and causes false caller identification information to display on the called party's telephone, on a first offense. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1B |
| False caller identification information — second or subsequent offense | Class 2 Misdemeanor | A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection where the prior conviction occurred before the date of the offense charged. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1B |
Common questions about false caller identification information in Virginia
Is false caller identification information a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: false caller identification information ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 2 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1.
False caller identification information — first offense: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1B) · False caller identification information — second or subsequent offense: class 2 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1B)
What are the penalties for false caller identification information in Virginia?
Penalties for false caller identification information in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 misdemeanor up to a class 2 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers false caller identification information?
False caller identification information is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.1 (False caller identification information; 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.