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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6 — Unauthorized uses of DNA data bank; forensic samples; penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1.1: DNA Analysis and Data Bank, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6

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. § 19.2-310.6Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Any person who, without authority, disseminates information contained in the data bank shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Any person who disseminates, receives, or otherwise uses or attempts to so use information in the data bank, knowing that such dissemination, receipt, or use is for a purpose other than as authorized by law, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Except as authorized by law, any person who, for purposes of having DNA analysis performed, obtains or attempts to obtain any sample submitted to the Department of Forensic Science for analysis shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

Official sources

Questions this section answers

Is unauthorized uses of DNA data bank a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: unauthorized uses of DNA data bank ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6.

Unauthorized dissemination of DNA data bank information: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6) · Knowing unauthorized use, dissemination, or receipt of DNA data bank information: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6) · Unauthorized obtaining of forensic DNA sample: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6)

Which Virginia statute covers unauthorized uses of DNA data bank?

Unauthorized uses of DNA data bank is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-310.6 (Unauthorized uses of DNA data bank; forensic samples; penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.