Virginia criminal charge

Damaging or destroying research farm product in Virginia

Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session

Damaging or destroying research farm product is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1. 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. § 18.2-145.1.

What is the penalty for damaging or destroying research farm product in Virginia?

Penalties for Damaging or destroying research farm product
Penalty	Range	Basis	Authority
Jail / prison	up to 12 months (Damaging or destroying research farm product (value under $1,000) — Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was less than $1,000.)	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Fine	up to $2,500 (Damaging or destroying research farm product (value under $1,000) — Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was less than $1,000.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a)))	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Jail / prison	1 years to 5 years (Damaging or destroying research farm product (value $1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was $1,000 or more.; 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 (Damaging or destroying research farm product (value $1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was $1,000 or more.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f))	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10

Applies to current.

How is damaging or destroying research farm product classified in Virginia?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Damaging or destroying research farm product
Variant	Classification	When it applies	Statute
Damaging or destroying research farm product (value under $1,000)	Class 1 Misdemeanor	Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was less than $1,000.	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1A
Damaging or destroying research farm product (value $1,000 or more)	Class 6 Felony	Applies when the value of the farm product maliciously damaged or destroyed was $1,000 or more.	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1A

Common questions about damaging or destroying research farm product in Virginia

Is damaging or destroying research farm product a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: damaging or destroying research farm product ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1.

Damaging or destroying research farm product (value under $1,000): class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1A) · Damaging or destroying research farm product (value $1,000 or more): class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1A)

What are the penalties for damaging or destroying research farm product in Virginia?

Penalties for damaging or destroying research farm product in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Virginia statute covers damaging or destroying research farm product?

Damaging or destroying research farm product is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-145.1 (Damaging or destroying research farm product; penalty; restitution).

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.