Virginia legal term
Electronic communication device in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Electronic communication device” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Electronic communication device” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Electronic communication device" means (i) any type of instrument, device, machine, equipment or software that is capable of transmitting, acquiring, encrypting, decrypting or receiving any signs, signals, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems or (ii) any part, accessory or component of such an instrument, device, machine, equipment or software, including, but not limited to, any computer circuit, computer chip, security module, smart card, electronic mechanism, or other component, accessory or part, that is capable (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-190.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.