Virginia legal term
Abuse in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Abuse” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Abuse” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Abuse" means (i) knowing and willful conduct that causes physical injury or pain or (ii) knowing and willful use of physical restraint, including confinement, as punishment, for convenience or as a substitute for treatment, except where such conduct or physical restraint, including confinement, is a part of care or treatment and is in furtherance of the health and safety of the vulnerable adult. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-369)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders
- Alcohol and substance abuse screening and assessment for designated Class 1 misdemeanor convictions
- Fraudulent procurement, sale, or receipt of telephone records
- General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use
- Preliminary protective order
- Revocation of license for multiple convictions of driving while intoxicated
- Sexual abuse of animals
- Delinquent juveniles
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.