Virginia criminal charge
Larceny of certain animals and poultry in Virginia
Larceny of certain animals and poultry is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97. 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. § 18.2-97.
What is the penalty for larceny of certain animals and poultry in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 10 years (Larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf — Applies to larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf, regardless of value.; 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(e))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf — Applies to larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf, regardless of value.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(e)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Larceny of poultry ($5–$999.99) or sheep, lamb, swine, or goat (under $1,000) — Applies to larceny of poultry valued at $5 or more but less than $1,000, or of a sheep, lamb, swine, or goat valued at less than $1,000.; 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 (Larceny of poultry ($5–$999.99) or sheep, lamb, swine, or goat (under $1,000) — Applies to larceny of poultry valued at $5 or more but less than $1,000, or of a sheep, lamb, swine, or goat valued at less than $1,000.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is larceny of certain animals and poultry classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf | Class 5 Felony | Applies to larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf, regardless of value. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97undefined |
| Larceny of poultry ($5–$999.99) or sheep, lamb, swine, or goat (under $1,000) | Class 6 Felony | Applies to larceny of poultry valued at $5 or more but less than $1,000, or of a sheep, lamb, swine, or goat valued at less than $1,000. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97undefined |
Common questions about larceny of certain animals and poultry in Virginia
Is larceny of certain animals and poultry a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: larceny of certain animals and poultry ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97.
Larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull, or calf: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97) · Larceny of poultry ($5–$999.99) or sheep, lamb, swine, or goat (under $1,000): class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97)
What are the penalties for larceny of certain animals and poultry in Virginia?
Penalties for larceny of certain animals and poultry in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 6 felony up to a class 5 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 larceny of certain animals and poultry?
Larceny of certain animals and poultry is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-97 (Larceny of certain animals and poultry).
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.