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Virginia criminal charge

Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated in Virginia

Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session

Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5. 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. § 18.2-51.5.

What is the penalty for maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated in Virginia?

Penalties for Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison1 years to 5 years (Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - serious bodily injury — Operating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury to another person.; 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)))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-10
Fineup to $2,500 (Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - serious bodily injury — Operating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury to another person.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-10
Jail / prison2 years to 10 years (Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - permanent and significant physical impairment — Operating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment.)mandatoryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-10
Fineup to $100,000 (Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - permanent and significant physical impairment — Operating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g)))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-10

Applies to current.

How is maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated classified in Virginia?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - serious bodily injuryClass 6 FelonyOperating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury to another person.Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5A
Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - permanent and significant physical impairmentClass 4 FelonyOperating a watercraft or motorboat while intoxicated in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causing serious bodily injury resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment.Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5B

Common questions about maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated in Virginia

Is maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5.

Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - serious bodily injury: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5A) · Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - permanent and significant physical impairment: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5B)

What are the penalties for maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated in Virginia?

Penalties for maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 6 felony up to a class 4 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 maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated?

Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5 (Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated; 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.