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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81 — Burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1: Arson and Related Crimes, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81

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. § 18.2-81Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
If any person maliciously, or with intent to defraud an insurance company or other person, set fire to or burn or destroy by any explosive device or substance, or cause to be burned, or destroyed by any explosive device or substance, or aid, counsel, or procure the burning or destroying by any explosive device or substance, of any personal property, standing grain or other crop, he shall, if the thing burnt or destroyed be of the value of $1,000 or more, be guilty of a Class 4 felony; and if the thing burnt or destroyed be of less value, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81.

Burning/destroying personal property or crops ($1,000 or more): class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81) · Burning/destroying personal property or crops (less than $1,000): class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81)

Which Virginia statute covers burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc?

Burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-81 (Burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.