Virginia criminal charge
Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service in Virginia
Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1. 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. § 18.2-165.1.
What is the penalty for tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Assisting others or selling/promoting devices for unlawful cable service — Applies when a person is convicted under clause (ii) (assisting/instructing another for profit to obtain cable service without payment) or clause (iv) (selling, renting, promoting, or advertising devices/plans intended or represented to facilitate unlawful cable service acts).; 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 (Assisting others or selling/promoting devices for unlawful cable service — Applies when a person is convicted under clause (ii) (assisting/instructing another for profit to obtain cable service without payment) or clause (iv) (selling, renting, promoting, or advertising devices/plans intended or represented to facilitate unlawful cable service acts).; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Obtaining service without payment or tampering with equipment — Applies when a person is convicted under clause (i) (knowingly obtaining cable service without paying lawful compensation) or clause (iii) (knowingly tampering with, interfering with, or connecting to cable distribution equipment without authority).) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Obtaining service without payment or tampering with equipment — Applies when a person is convicted under clause (i) (knowingly obtaining cable service without paying lawful compensation) or clause (iii) (knowingly tampering with, interfering with, or connecting to cable distribution equipment without authority).; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisting others or selling/promoting devices for unlawful cable service | Class 6 Felony | Applies when a person is convicted under clause (ii) (assisting/instructing another for profit to obtain cable service without payment) or clause (iv) (selling, renting, promoting, or advertising devices/plans intended or represented to facilitate unlawful cable service acts). | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1undefined |
| Obtaining service without payment or tampering with equipment | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when a person is convicted under clause (i) (knowingly obtaining cable service without paying lawful compensation) or clause (iii) (knowingly tampering with, interfering with, or connecting to cable distribution equipment without authority). | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1undefined |
Common questions about tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service in Virginia
Is tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1.
Assisting others or selling/promoting devices for unlawful cable service: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1) · Obtaining service without payment or tampering with equipment: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1)
What are the penalties for tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service in Virginia?
Penalties for tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service?
Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-165.1 (Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service).
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.