Virginia criminal charge
Concealing or compounding offenses in Virginia
Concealing or compounding offenses is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462. 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. § 18.2-462.
What is the penalty for concealing or compounding offenses in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Concealing/compounding a felony offense — Applies when a person takes money or reward, or an agreement therefor, to compound or conceal an offense, or not to prosecute or give evidence, and the underlying offense is a felony.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Concealing/compounding a felony offense — Applies when a person takes money or reward, or an agreement therefor, to compound or conceal an offense, or not to prosecute or give evidence, and the underlying offense is a felony.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(b))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $250 (Concealing/compounding a non-felony offense — Applies when a person takes money or reward, or an agreement therefor, to compound or conceal an offense, or not to prosecute or give evidence, and the underlying offense is not a felony and is not punishable merely by forfeiture to him.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(d))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Concealing/destroying evidence of a Chapter 4 felony — Applies when a person, other than the victim or certain close relatives of the offender, with actual knowledge of another's commission of a felony offense under Chapter 4, willfully conceals, alters, dismembers, or destroys physical evidence with intent to hinder investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment.; 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 (Concealing/destroying evidence of a Chapter 4 felony — Applies when a person, other than the victim or certain close relatives of the offender, with actual knowledge of another's commission of a felony offense under Chapter 4, willfully conceals, alters, dismembers, or destroys physical evidence with intent to hinder investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is concealing or compounding offenses classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concealing/compounding a felony offense | class 2 misdemeanor | Applies when a person takes money or reward, or an agreement therefor, to compound or conceal an offense, or not to prosecute or give evidence, and the underlying offense is a felony. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462A |
| Concealing/compounding a non-felony offense | class 4 misdemeanor | Applies when a person takes money or reward, or an agreement therefor, to compound or conceal an offense, or not to prosecute or give evidence, and the underlying offense is not a felony and is not punishable merely by forfeiture to him. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462A |
| Concealing/destroying evidence of a Chapter 4 felony | class 6 felony | Applies when a person, other than the victim or certain close relatives of the offender, with actual knowledge of another's commission of a felony offense under Chapter 4, willfully conceals, alters, dismembers, or destroys physical evidence with intent to hinder investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462B |
Common questions about concealing or compounding offenses in Virginia
Is concealing or compounding offenses a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: concealing or compounding offenses ranges from a class 4 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462.
Concealing/compounding a felony offense: class 2 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462A) · Concealing/compounding a non-felony offense: class 4 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462A) · Concealing/destroying evidence of a Chapter 4 felony: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462B)
What are the penalties for concealing or compounding offenses in Virginia?
Which Virginia statute covers concealing or compounding offenses?
Concealing or compounding offenses is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-462 (Concealing or compounding offenses; 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.