Virginia criminal charge
Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat in Virginia
Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102. 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. § 18.2-102.
What is the penalty for unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Unauthorized use — value $1,000 or more — Applies when the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent has a value of $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 (Unauthorized use — value $1,000 or more — Applies when the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent has a value of $1,000 or more.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Unauthorized use — value less than $1,000 — Applies when the value of the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent is less than $1,000.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Unauthorized use — value less than $1,000 — Applies when the value of the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent is less than $1,000.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized use — value $1,000 or more | class 6 felony | Applies when the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent has a value of $1,000 or more. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102undefined |
| Unauthorized use — value less than $1,000 | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies when the value of the animal, aircraft, vehicle, boat or vessel taken, driven or used without consent is less than $1,000. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102undefined |
Common questions about unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat in Virginia
Is unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102.
Unauthorized use — value $1,000 or more: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102) · Unauthorized use — value less than $1,000: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102)
What are the penalties for unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat in Virginia?
Penalties for unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat 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. § 18.2-10 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat?
Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-102 (Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat; consent; accessories or accomplices).
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.