§ 15.2-1612 Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons; penalty
Any unauthorized person who wears a uniform identical to or substantially similar to a standard uniform used by an office of sheriff in accordance with § 15.2-1610 with the intent to deceive a casual observer or with the intent to impersonate the office of sheriff is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony. For purposes of this section, “substantially similar” means so similar in appearance as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.
History
This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 626 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter 587; in 2005, chapters 337 and 452; in 2013, chapter 431.
1988, c. 626, § 15.1-90.4; 1997, c. 587; 2005, cc. 337, 452; 2013, c. 431.