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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-484 — Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1: Treason and Related Offenses, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-484

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. § 18.2-484Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
It shall be unlawful for any person, group, or organization to advocate any change, by force, violence, or other unlawful means in the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States of America. It shall be unlawful for any person to join, assist or otherwise contribute to any group or organization which, to the knowledge of such person, advocates or has as its purpose, aim or objective, any change, by force, violence, or other unlawful means in the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States of America. Violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or prohibit the advocacy, orally or otherwise, of any change, by peaceful means, in the government of the Commonwealth or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States.

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Questions this section answers

Is advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-484.

Which Virginia statute covers advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means?

Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-484 (Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.