Virginia criminal charge
Causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy in Virginia
Causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429. 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. § 18.2-429.
What is the penalty for causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $500 (Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — first offense — A person causes another's telephone or digital pager to ring or signal with intent to annoy, or permits/condones such use, without a prior qualifying conviction.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(c))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — repeat offense — The person has a prior conviction under this subsection that occurred before the date of the currently charged offense.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — repeat offense — The person has a prior conviction under this subsection that occurred before the date of the currently charged offense.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(b))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Causing telephone/device to ring to annoy or hinder emergency personnel — A person causes a telephone or other device owned/leased by an entity providing fire, police, or emergency medical services to ring or signal with intent to annoy, harass, hinder, or delay emergency personnel, or knowingly permits such use.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Causing telephone/device to ring to annoy or hinder emergency personnel — A person causes a telephone or other device owned/leased by an entity providing fire, police, or emergency medical services to ring or signal with intent to annoy, harass, hinder, or delay emergency personnel, or knowingly permits such use.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — first offense | class 3 misdemeanor | A person causes another's telephone or digital pager to ring or signal with intent to annoy, or permits/condones such use, without a prior qualifying conviction. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429A |
| Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — repeat offense | class 2 misdemeanor | The person has a prior conviction under this subsection that occurred before the date of the currently charged offense. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429A |
| Causing telephone/device to ring to annoy or hinder emergency personnel | class 1 misdemeanor | A person causes a telephone or other device owned/leased by an entity providing fire, police, or emergency medical services to ring or signal with intent to annoy, harass, hinder, or delay emergency personnel, or knowingly permits such use. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429B |
Common questions about causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy in Virginia
Is causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429.
Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — first offense: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429A) · Causing telephone/pager to ring with intent to annoy — repeat offense: class 2 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429A) · Causing telephone/device to ring to annoy or hinder emergency personnel: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429B)
What are the penalties for causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy in Virginia?
Penalties for causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy?
Causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-429 (Causing a telephone, digital pager, or other device to ring or signal with intent to annoy; emergency communications; penalties).
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.