Virginia legal term
Open container in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Open container” 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 “Open container” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Open container" means any vessel containing an alcoholic beverage, except the originally sealed manufacturer's container. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-323.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.