Virginia criminal charge

Theft of computer services in Virginia

Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session

Theft of computer services is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6. 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. § 18.2-152.6.

What is the penalty for theft of computer services in Virginia?

Penalties for Theft of computer services
Penalty	Range	Basis	Authority
Jail / prison	up to 12 months (Theft of computer services (base offense) — Applies when a person willfully obtains computer services without authority, with no specified value threshold.)	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Fine	up to $2,500 (Theft of computer services (base offense) — Applies when a person willfully obtains computer services without authority, with no specified value threshold.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a)))	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Jail / prison	1 years to 5 years (Theft of computer services (value >= $2,500) — Applies when the value of the computer services stolen is $2,500 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 (Theft of computer services (value >= $2,500) — Applies when the value of the computer services stolen is $2,500 or more.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f))	discretionary	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10

Applies to current.

How is theft of computer services classified in Virginia?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Theft of computer services
Variant	Classification	When it applies	Statute
Theft of computer services (base offense)	class 1 misdemeanor	Applies when a person willfully obtains computer services without authority, with no specified value threshold.	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6undefined
Theft of computer services (value >= $2,500)	class 6 felony	Applies when the value of the computer services stolen is $2,500 or more.	Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6undefined

Common questions about theft of computer services in Virginia

Is theft of computer services a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: theft of computer services ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6.

Theft of computer services (base offense): class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6) · Theft of computer services (value >= $2,500): class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6)

What are the penalties for theft of computer services in Virginia?

Penalties for theft of computer services 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 theft of computer services?

Theft of computer services is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.6 (Theft of computer services; 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.