Virginia criminal charge
Carelessly damaging property by fire in Virginia
Carelessly damaging property by fire is a class 4 misdemeanor under Virginia criminal law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88. As a class 4 misdemeanor, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Virginia sets for that offense class. Virginia classifies offenses as Class 1 through Class 6 felonies and Class 1 through Class 4 misdemeanors (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-9), with the standard punishment ranges set by §§ 18.2-10 and 18.2-11 — and a substantial number of offenses are unclassified, with the penalty stated in the defining section itself. Traffic infractions are not criminal offenses (§ 18.2-8).
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88.
What is the penalty for carelessly damaging property by fire in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $250 (fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(d))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
Common questions about carelessly damaging property by fire in Virginia
Is carelessly damaging property by fire a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
What are the penalties for carelessly damaging property by fire in Virginia?
As a class 4 misdemeanor, carelessly damaging property by fire carries a fine of up to $250 (no mandatory minimum) under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11.
Which Virginia statute covers carelessly damaging property by fire?
Carelessly damaging property by fire is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88 (Carelessly damaging property by fire).
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.