Virginia criminal charge
Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc in Virginia
Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153. 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. § 18.2-153.
What is the penalty for obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 10 years (Malicious obstruction/injury endangering life — Applies when the act described is committed maliciously and puts the life of a person on the canal, railroad, or electric railway in peril.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Malicious obstruction/injury endangering life — Applies when the act described is committed maliciously and puts the life of a person on the canal, railroad, or electric railway in peril.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Unlawful but not malicious obstruction/injury — Applies when the same act is committed unlawfully but not maliciously.; 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 (Unlawful but not malicious obstruction/injury — Applies when the same act is committed unlawfully but not maliciously.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malicious obstruction/injury endangering life | Class 4 Felony | Applies when the act described is committed maliciously and puts the life of a person on the canal, railroad, or electric railway in peril. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153undefined |
| Unlawful but not malicious obstruction/injury | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the same act is committed unlawfully but not maliciously. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153undefined |
Common questions about obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc in Virginia
Is obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153.
Malicious obstruction/injury endangering life: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153) · Unlawful but not malicious obstruction/injury: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153)
What are the penalties for obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc in Virginia?
Penalties for obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc 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 obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc?
Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-153 (Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, 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.