Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.2 — Trespass by spotlight on agricultural land
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. § 18.2-121.2
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.
If any person shall willfully use a spotlight or similar lighting apparatus to cast a light upon private property used for livestock or crops without the written permission of the person in legal possession of such property, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
The prohibition of this section shall not apply to light cast by (i) permanently installed outdoor lighting fixtures, (ii) headlamps on vehicles moving in normal travel on public or private roads, (iii) railroad locomotives or rolling stock being operated on the tracks or right-of-way of a railroad company, (iv) aircraft or watercraft, (v) apparatus used by employees of any public utility in maintaining the utility's lines and equipment, (vi) emergency medical services vehicles used by emergency medical services personnel or fire apparatus used by members of fire departments in the performance of their official duties, (vii) apparatus used by any law-enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties, or (viii) farm machinery or motor vehicles being used in normal farming operations.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is trespass by spotlight on agricultural land a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Trespass by spotlight on agricultural land is a class 3 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.2.
Which Virginia statute covers trespass by spotlight on agricultural land?
Trespass by spotlight on agricultural land is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-121.2 (Trespass by spotlight on agricultural land).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.