Virginia criminal charge
Computer invasion of privacy in Virginia
Computer invasion of privacy is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5. 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. § 18.2-152.5.
What is the penalty for computer invasion of privacy in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Computer invasion of privacy — base offense — A first violation of the computer invasion of privacy prohibition in subsection A is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Computer invasion of privacy — base offense — A first violation of the computer invasion of privacy prohibition in subsection A is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Computer invasion of privacy — subsequent offense — A violation committed after a prior conviction for this offense or a substantially similar law of another state or the United States is a Class 6 felony.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Computer invasion of privacy — subsequent offense — A violation committed after a prior conviction for this offense or a substantially similar law of another state or the United States is a Class 6 felony.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Computer invasion of privacy — selling or distributing information — A violation in which the offender sells or distributes the wrongfully examined information to another person is a Class 6 felony.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Computer invasion of privacy — selling or distributing information — A violation in which the offender sells or distributes the wrongfully examined information to another person is a Class 6 felony.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Computer invasion of privacy — used in commission of another crime — A violation in which the offender uses the wrongfully examined information in the commission of another crime is a Class 6 felony.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Computer invasion of privacy — used in commission of another crime — A violation in which the offender uses the wrongfully examined information in the commission of another crime is a Class 6 felony.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is computer invasion of privacy classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer invasion of privacy — base offense | Class 1 Misdemeanor | A first violation of the computer invasion of privacy prohibition in subsection A is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5B |
| Computer invasion of privacy — subsequent offense | Class 6 Felony | A violation committed after a prior conviction for this offense or a substantially similar law of another state or the United States is a Class 6 felony. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5C |
| Computer invasion of privacy — selling or distributing information | Class 6 Felony | A violation in which the offender sells or distributes the wrongfully examined information to another person is a Class 6 felony. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5D |
| Computer invasion of privacy — used in commission of another crime | Class 6 Felony | A violation in which the offender uses the wrongfully examined information in the commission of another crime is a Class 6 felony. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5E |
Common questions about computer invasion of privacy in Virginia
Is computer invasion of privacy a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: computer invasion of privacy ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5.
Computer invasion of privacy — base offense: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5B) · Computer invasion of privacy — subsequent offense: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5C) · Computer invasion of privacy — selling or distributing information: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5D) · Computer invasion of privacy — used in commission of another crime: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5E)
What are the penalties for computer invasion of privacy in Virginia?
Which Virginia statute covers computer invasion of privacy?
Computer invasion of privacy is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5 (Computer invasion of privacy; 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.