Virginia legal term
Instigating in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Instigating” 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 “Instigating” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Instigating" means bringing it about that all or part of the expenses of the litigation are paid by the barrator or by a person or persons (other than the plaintiffs) acting in concert with the barrator, unless the instigation is justified. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-451)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.