Virginia criminal charge
Strangulation or suffocation of another in Virginia
Strangulation or suffocation of another is a Class 6 Felony under Virginia criminal law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.6. As a Class 6 Felony, 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. § 18.2-51.6.
What is the penalty for strangulation or suffocation of another in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (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 (with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
Common questions about strangulation or suffocation of another in Virginia
Is strangulation or suffocation of another a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Strangulation or suffocation of another is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.6.
What are the penalties for strangulation or suffocation of another in Virginia?
As a class 6 felony, strangulation or suffocation of another carries 1 years to 5 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).
Which Virginia statute covers strangulation or suffocation of another?
Strangulation or suffocation of another is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.6 (Strangulation or suffocation of another; 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.