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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121 — Entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc.; penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 5: Trespass to Realty, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
A. As used in this section, "disability" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. B. It is unlawful for any person to enter the land, dwelling, outhouse, or any other building of another for the purpose of damaging such property or any of the contents thereof or in any manner to interfere with the rights of the owner, user, or occupant thereof to use such property free from interference. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if a person intentionally selects the property entered because of the race, religious conviction, color, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin of the owner, user, or occupant of the property, the person is guilty of a Class 6 felony, and the penalty upon conviction shall include a term of confinement of at least six months.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.

Entering property to damage or interfere with owner's rights: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121B) · Bias-motivated entry to damage or interfere with property: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121B)

Which Virginia statute covers entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc?

Entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121 (Entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc.; penalties).

Is trespass with an unmanned aircraft system a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: trespass with an unmanned aircraft system ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.3.

Trespass with unmanned aircraft system near dwelling, over restricted airspace, or near correctional facility: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.3A) · Trespass with unmanned aircraft system over critical infrastructure or utilities: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.3B) · Trespass with unmanned aircraft system to obtain controlled technical information at a defense facility: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.3D)

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.