Virginia legal term
Protected information in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Protected information” 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 “Protected information” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Protected information" means information identifying a source who provided information to a newsperson under a promise or agreement of confidentiality made by a news organization or newsperson while such news organization or newsperson was engaging in journalism. (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-271.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.