Virginia legal term
Governor in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Governor” 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 “Governor” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Governor" includes any person performing the functions of Governor by authority of the law of this Commonwealth; (2) The term "executive authority" includes the Governor, and any person performing the functions of Governor in a state other than this Commonwealth; (3) The term "State," referring to a state other than this Commonwealth, includes any other state or territory, organized or unorganized, of the United States of America, and the District of Columbia; and (4) The term "judge" means a judge of a court of record having criminal jurisdiction. (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-85)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc
- Commission of certain offenses in county, city or town declared by Governor to be in state of riot or insurrection
- Compensation of court-appointed counsel
- Injuries to trees, fences or herbage on grounds of Capitol, or in any public square
- Misprision of treason
- Penalty for noncompliance with preceding section
- Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons
- Power of Governor to summon law-enforcement agencies, national guard, etc., to execute process or preserve the peace
- Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places
- Threatening the Governor or his immediate family
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.