Virginia criminal charge
Same in Virginia
Same is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232. 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. § 18.2-232.
What is the penalty for same in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $500 (First offense violation — Applies to a first violation of any provision of §§ 18.2-226 through 18.2-231.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(c))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when the violator commits a second or any subsequent offense under §§ 18.2-226 through 18.2-231.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when the violator commits a second or any subsequent offense under §§ 18.2-226 through 18.2-231.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is same classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense violation | Class 3 Misdemeanor | Applies to a first violation of any provision of §§ 18.2-226 through 18.2-231. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232undefined |
| Second or subsequent offense | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when the violator commits a second or any subsequent offense under §§ 18.2-226 through 18.2-231. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232undefined |
Common questions about same in Virginia
Is same a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: same ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232.
First offense violation: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232) · Second or subsequent offense: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-232)
What are the penalties for same in Virginia?
Penalties for same in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
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.