Virginia legal term
Protective order in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Protective order” 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 “Protective order” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Protective order" includes an initial, modified or extended protective order. (Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-279.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assault and battery against a family or household member
- Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms
- Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders
- Violation of protective orders
- Violation of provisions of protective orders
- Preliminary protective order
- Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery of a family or household member
- Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following conviction for importation, sale, possession, etc., of assault firearm
- Unauthorized use of electronic tracking device
- Use of unmanned aircraft system for certain purposes
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.