Virginia criminal charge
Impersonating certain public safety personnel in Virginia
Impersonating certain public safety personnel is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174.1. 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. § 18.2-174.1.
What is the penalty for impersonating certain public safety personnel in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Impersonating public safety personnel — second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person has previously been convicted of this same offense and commits it again.; 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 (Impersonating public safety personnel — second or subsequent offense — Applies when the person has previously been convicted of this same offense and commits it again.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is impersonating certain public safety personnel classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impersonating public safety personnel — second or subsequent offense | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the person has previously been convicted of this same offense and commits it again. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174.1undefined |
Common questions about impersonating certain public safety personnel in Virginia
Is impersonating certain public safety personnel a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Impersonating certain public safety personnel is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174.1.
Impersonating public safety personnel — second or subsequent offense: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174.1)
What are the penalties for impersonating certain public safety personnel in Virginia?
Penalties for impersonating certain public safety personnel in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 6 felony up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers impersonating certain public safety personnel?
Impersonating certain public safety personnel is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174.1 (Impersonating certain public safety personnel; penalty).
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.