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Virginia criminal charge

False entries or destruction of records by officers in Virginia

Class 1 MisdemeanorCurrent through 2026 Virginia legislative session

False entries or destruction of records by officers is a Class 1 Misdemeanor under Virginia criminal law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-472. As a Class 1 Misdemeanor, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Virginia sets for that offense class. Virginia classifies offenses as Class 1 through Class 6 felonies and Class 1 through Class 4 misdemeanors (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-9), with the standard punishment ranges set by §§ 18.2-10 and 18.2-11 — and a substantial number of offenses are unclassified, with the penalty stated in the defining section itself. Traffic infractions are not criminal offenses (§ 18.2-8).

Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-472.

What is the penalty for false entries or destruction of records by officers in Virginia?

Penalties for False entries or destruction of records by officers
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 12 months (no statutory minimum)discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Fineup to $2,500 (either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a)))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-11

Applies to current.

Common questions about false entries or destruction of records by officers in Virginia

Is false entries or destruction of records by officers a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

False entries or destruction of records by officers is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-472.

What are the penalties for false entries or destruction of records by officers in Virginia?

As a class 1 misdemeanor, false entries or destruction of records by officers carries up to 12 months (no mandatory minimum) of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 (current).

Which Virginia statute covers false entries or destruction of records by officers?

False entries or destruction of records by officers is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-472 (False entries or destruction of records by officers).

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.