Virginia criminal charge
Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems in Virginia
Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1.
What is the penalty for breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 10 years (Breaking seal/lock or breaking and entering without firearm — Applies when a person breaks the seal or lock of, or breaks and enters, a railroad car, vessel, aircraft, motortruck, wagon, other vehicle, or pipeline system containing shipments, with intent to commit larceny or a felony therein, and is not armed with a firearm.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Breaking seal/lock or breaking and entering without firearm — Applies when a person breaks the seal or lock of, or breaks and enters, a railroad car, vessel, aircraft, motortruck, wagon, other vehicle, or pipeline system containing shipments, with intent to commit larceny or a felony therein, and is not armed with a firearm.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 20 years (Breaking and entering while armed with a firearm — Applies when the person committing the breaking and entering described in the statute is armed with a firearm at the time of the offense.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Breaking and entering while armed with a firearm — Applies when the person committing the breaking and entering described in the statute is armed with a firearm at the time of the offense.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking seal/lock or breaking and entering without firearm | Class 4 Felony | Applies when a person breaks the seal or lock of, or breaks and enters, a railroad car, vessel, aircraft, motortruck, wagon, other vehicle, or pipeline system containing shipments, with intent to commit larceny or a felony therein, and is not armed with a firearm. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1undefined |
| Breaking and entering while armed with a firearm | Class 3 Felony | Applies when the person committing the breaking and entering described in the statute is armed with a firearm at the time of the offense. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1undefined |
Common questions about breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems in Virginia
Is breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems ranges from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1.
Breaking seal/lock or breaking and entering without firearm: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1) · Breaking and entering while armed with a firearm: class 3 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1)
What are the penalties for breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems in Virginia?
Penalties for breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 4 felony up to a class 3 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems?
Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1 (Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.