Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-438 — Bribes to officers or candidates for office
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 2: Bribery and Related Offenses, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-438
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.
If any person corruptly give, offer or promise to any executive, legislative or judicial officer, sheriff or police officer, or to any candidate for such office, either before or after he shall have taken his seat, any gift or gratuity, with intent to influence his act, vote, opinion, decision or judgment on any matter, question, cause or proceeding, which is or may be then pending, or may by law come or be brought before him in his official capacity, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony and shall forfeit to the Commonwealth any such gift or gratuity given. This section shall also apply to a resident of this Commonwealth who, while temporarily absent therefrom for that purpose, shall make such gift, offer or promise.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is bribes to officers or candidates for office a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Bribes to officers or candidates for office is a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-438.
Which Virginia statute covers bribes to officers or candidates for office?
Bribes to officers or candidates for office is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-438 (Bribes to officers or candidates for office).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.