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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 — Punishment for conviction of felony; penalty

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 3: Classification of Criminal Offenses and Punishment Therefor, Code of Virginia.

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
The authorized punishments for conviction of a felony are: (a) For Class 1 felonies, imprisonment for life and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. Any person who was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense and who is sentenced to imprisonment for life upon conviction of a Class 1 felony shall not be eligible for (i) parole, (ii) any good conduct allowance or any earned sentence credits under Chapter 6 (§ 53.1-186 et seq.) of Title 53.1, or (iii) conditional release pursuant to § 53.1-40.01 or 53.1-40.02 . (b) For Class 2 felonies, imprisonment for life or for any term not less than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. (c) For Class 3 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. (d) For Class 4 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. (e) For Class 5 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. (f) For Class 6 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. (g) Except as specifically authorized in subdivision (e) or (f), the court shall impose either a sentence of imprisonment together with a fine, or imprisonment only. However, if the defendant is not a natural person, the court shall impose only a fine. For any felony offense committed (i) on or after January 1, 1995, the court may, and (ii) on or after July 1, 2000, shall, except in cases in which the court orders a suspended term of confinement of at least six months, impose an additional term of incarceration of not less than six months nor more than three years, which shall be suspended conditioned upon successful completion of a period of probation pursuant to § 19.2-295.2 and compliance with such other terms as the sentencing court may require. However, such additional term may only be imposed when the sentence includes an active term of incarceration in a correctional facility. For a felony offense prohibiting proximity to children as described in subsection A of § 18.2-370.2 , the sentencing court is authorized to impose the punishment set forth in that section in addition to any other penalty provided by law.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What are the penalties for abduction and kidnapping defined in Virginia?

Penalties for abduction and kidnapping defined in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 2 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

What are the penalties for abduction by prisoners or committed persons in Virginia?

As a class 3 felony, abduction by prisoners or committed persons carries 5 years to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose in Virginia?

As a class 2 felony, abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose carries imprisonment for life or for any term not less than 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for abuse and neglect of children in Virginia?

Penalties for abuse and neglect of children in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 6 felony up to a class 4 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

What are the penalties for abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in Virginia?

Penalties for abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 3 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

What are the penalties for acceptance of bribe by officer or candidate in Virginia?

As a class 4 felony, acceptance of bribe by officer or candidate carries 2 years to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for act of bioterrorism against agricultural crops or animals in Virginia?

As a class 3 felony, act of bioterrorism against agricultural crops or animals carries 5 years to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc in Virginia?

As a class 3 felony, adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc carries 5 years to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means in Virginia?

As a class 6 felony, advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means carries 1 years to 5 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

What are the penalties for aggravated malicious wounding in Virginia?

As a class 2 felony, aggravated malicious wounding carries imprisonment for life or for any term not less than 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 (current).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.