Virginia legal term
Excessive force in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Excessive force” 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 “Excessive force” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Excessive force" means any force that is objectively unreasonable given the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-83.3)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.