Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5 — Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated; penalty

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 4: Assaults and Bodily Woundings, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5

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. § 18.2-51.5Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

A. Any person who, as a result of operating a watercraft or motorboat in violation of subsection B of § 29.1-738 or a similar local ordinance in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causes the serious bodily injury of another person is guilty of a Class 6 felony. B. Any person who, as a result of operating a watercraft or motorboat in violation of subsection B of § 29.1-738 or a similar local ordinance in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, unintentionally causes the serious bodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment is guilty of a Class 4 felony. C. The court shall order any person convicted under this section not to operate a watercraft or motorboat that is underway upon the waters of the Commonwealth. After two years have passed from the date of the conviction, the convicted person may petition the court that entered the conviction for the right to operate a watercraft or motorboat upon the waters of the Commonwealth. Upon consideration of such petition, the court may restore the right to operate a watercraft or motorboat subject to such terms and conditions as the court deems appropriate, including the successful completion of a water safety alcohol rehabilitation program described in § 29.1-738.5 . D. The provisions of Article 3 (§ 29.1-734 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 29.1 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, upon arrest for a violation of this section. E. As used in this section, "serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that involves substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.

Official sources

Official section text (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5.

Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - serious bodily injury: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5A) · Maiming resulting from operating watercraft while intoxicated - permanent and significant physical impairment: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5B)

Which Virginia statute covers maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated?

Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51.5 (Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated; penalty).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.