Virginia criminal charge
Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass in Virginia
Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4. 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. § 18.2-186.4.
What is the penalty for use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Use of identity to coerce, intimidate, or harass — general — Applies to any person who violates the section by publishing another's name or photograph with identifying information or primary residence address with intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Use of identity to coerce, intimidate, or harass — general — Applies to any person who violates the section by publishing another's name or photograph with identifying information or primary residence address with intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Use of identity against law-enforcement officer or judge/magistrate — Applies when the violator knows or has reason to know the victim is a law-enforcement officer or an active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate; carries a mandatory minimum six-month confinement term.; 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 (Use of identity against law-enforcement officer or judge/magistrate — Applies when the violator knows or has reason to know the victim is a law-enforcement officer or an active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate; carries a mandatory minimum six-month confinement term.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of identity to coerce, intimidate, or harass — general | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies to any person who violates the section by publishing another's name or photograph with identifying information or primary residence address with intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4undefined |
| Use of identity against law-enforcement officer or judge/magistrate | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the violator knows or has reason to know the victim is a law-enforcement officer or an active or retired federal or Virginia justice, judge, or magistrate; carries a mandatory minimum six-month confinement term. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4undefined |
Common questions about use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass in Virginia
Is use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4.
Use of identity to coerce, intimidate, or harass — general: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4) · Use of identity against law-enforcement officer or judge/magistrate: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4)
What are the penalties for use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass in Virginia?
Penalties for use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass 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. § 18.2-11 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass?
Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.4 (Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass; 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.