Virginia legal term
Qualifying emergency in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Qualifying emergency” 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 “Qualifying emergency” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Qualifying emergency" means (i) a state of emergency as declared by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 44-146.13 et seq.) of Title 44; (ii) a local emergency as declared by the local director of emergency management with the consent of the governing body of the political subdivision pursuant to § 44-146.21 ; (iii) a state of emergency as declared by the President of the United States; (iv) when severe weather or other similar circumstances exist that may result in a person being placed in imminent danger of death or injury or may result in a building or its fixtures being at risk of sign (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-493)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.