Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-313 — Handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 8: Miscellaneous Dangerous Conduct, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-313
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.
It shall be unlawful for any person, or persons, to display, exhibit, handle or use any poisonous or dangerous snake or reptile in such a manner as to endanger the life or health of any person.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Official sources
Questions this section answers
Is handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health is a class 4 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-313.
Which Virginia statute covers handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health?
Handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-313 (Handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.