{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1612.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1612.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1612.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1612.html"}],"law_id":77999,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77999,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1612","catch_line":"Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons; penalty","history":"1988, c. 626, \u00a7 15.1-90.4; 1997, c. 587; 2005, cc. 337, 452; 2013, c. 431.","full_text":"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 \u00a7 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.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, &#8220;substantially similar&#8221; means so similar in appearance as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279678,"text":"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 \u00a7 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.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, &#8220;substantially similar&#8221; means so similar in appearance as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13630,"edition_id":1,"name":"Sheriff","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12877,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:26","permalink":{"id":153363,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13630,"identifier":"3","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3","url":"\/15.2\/II\/16\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12877,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":153305,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12877,"identifier":"16","token":"15.2\/II\/16","url":"\/15.2\/II\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82885,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609","catch_line":"Sheriff","url":"\/15.2-1609\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609","metadata":false},{"id":82997,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.1","catch_line":"Number of deputies","url":"\/15.2-1609.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.1","metadata":false},{"id":83479,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.10","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; collection of data","url":"\/15.2-1609.10\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.10","metadata":false},{"id":60167,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.11","catch_line":"Arrest or summons quota prohibited","url":"\/15.2-1609.11\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.11","metadata":false},{"id":60810,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.2","catch_line":"Sheriffs' salaries; salaries of certain full-time deputies; maximum limits","url":"\/15.2-1609.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.2","metadata":false},{"id":55776,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.3","catch_line":"Fees and mileage allowances","url":"\/15.2-1609.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.3","metadata":false},{"id":67447,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.4","catch_line":"Records of expenses of sheriffs and full-time deputies","url":"\/15.2-1609.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.4","metadata":false},{"id":66866,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.5","catch_line":"Submission of statement of expenses","url":"\/15.2-1609.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.5","metadata":false},{"id":63850,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.6","catch_line":"Agreements regarding traveling expenses","url":"\/15.2-1609.6\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.6","metadata":false},{"id":69929,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.7","catch_line":"Salaries and expense allowances to be paid by Commonwealth","url":"\/15.2-1609.7\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.7","metadata":false},{"id":76227,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.8","catch_line":"Payments to counties having certain optional forms of organization and government","url":"\/15.2-1609.8\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.8","metadata":false},{"id":66437,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1609.9","catch_line":"Compensation of part-time deputies","url":"\/15.2-1609.9\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1609.9","metadata":false},{"id":58330,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1610","catch_line":"Standard uniforms and motor vehicle markings to be adopted by sheriffs","url":"\/15.2-1610\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1610","metadata":false},{"id":69551,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1611","catch_line":"Alternate clothing for sheriff and deputies","url":"\/15.2-1611\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1611","metadata":false},{"id":77999,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1612","catch_line":"Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons; penalty","url":"\/15.2-1612\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1612","metadata":false},{"id":54601,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1612.1","catch_line":"Deputy sheriffs to complete course of instruction established by Department of Criminal Justice Services","url":"\/15.2-1612.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1612.1","metadata":false},{"id":60045,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1613","catch_line":"Operation of sheriff's office","url":"\/15.2-1613\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1613","metadata":false},{"id":62680,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1613.1","catch_line":"Processing fee may be imposed on certain individuals","url":"\/15.2-1613.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1613.1","metadata":false},{"id":58419,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1614","catch_line":"Destruction of receipts","url":"\/15.2-1614\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1614","metadata":false},{"id":63868,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1614.1","catch_line":"Expense of boarding and lodging jurors","url":"\/15.2-1614.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1614.1","metadata":false},{"id":57459,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1615","catch_line":"Sheriff to deposit funds, keep account of receipts and disbursements, keep books open for inspection","url":"\/15.2-1615\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1615","metadata":false},{"id":59723,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1615.1","catch_line":"Manner of payment of certain items in budgets of sheriffs","url":"\/15.2-1615.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1615.1","metadata":false},{"id":72282,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1616","catch_line":"When deputy may act in place of sheriff","url":"\/15.2-1616\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1616","metadata":false},{"id":75627,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1617","catch_line":"Deputies of deceased sheriffs","url":"\/15.2-1617\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1617","metadata":false},{"id":82367,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1618","catch_line":"Compensating certain law-enforcement officers disabled in performance of duty","url":"\/15.2-1618\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1618","metadata":false},{"id":55463,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1619","catch_line":"When officers not to take obligations","url":"\/15.2-1619\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1619","metadata":false},{"id":77254,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1620","catch_line":"Process, etc., sent to officer by mail","url":"\/15.2-1620\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1620","metadata":false},{"id":59113,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1621","catch_line":"Receipts to be given by officers","url":"\/15.2-1621\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1621","metadata":false},{"id":63534,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1622","catch_line":"Judgment against officer for money due from him","url":"\/15.2-1622\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1622","metadata":false},{"id":70970,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1623","catch_line":"Judgment for officer or sureties against deputy, etc., when officer liable for misconduct of deputy","url":"\/15.2-1623\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1623","metadata":false},{"id":75531,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1624","catch_line":"When judgment against officer or sureties has been obtained and paid","url":"\/15.2-1624\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1624","metadata":false},{"id":58365,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1625","catch_line":"In what court motions may be made","url":"\/15.2-1625\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1625","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69551,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1611","catch_line":"Alternate clothing for sheriff and deputies","url":"\/15.2-1611\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1611","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54601,"structure_id":13630,"section_number":"15.2-1612.1","catch_line":"Deputy sheriffs to complete course of instruction established by Department of Criminal Justice Services","url":"\/15.2-1612.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1612.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1612\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 626 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>; in 2005, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0337\">337<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0452\">452<\/a>; in 2013, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0431\">431<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82582,"section_number":"19.2-390","catch_line":"Reports to be made by local law-enforcement officers, conservators of the peace, clerks of court, Secretary of the Commonwealth and Corrections officials to State Police; material submitted by other agencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-390\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":58330,"section_number":"15.2-1610","catch_line":"Standard uniforms and motor vehicle markings to be adopted by sheriffs","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1610\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153421,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77999,"identifier":"15.2-1612","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1612","url":"\/15.2-1612\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1612\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/3\/15.2-1612","dublin_core":{"Title":"Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1612","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any unauthorized person who wears a uniform identical to or <span class=\"dictionary\">substantially similar<\/span> to a standard uniform used by an office of sheriff in accordance with \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Standard uniforms and motor vehicle markings to be adopted by sheriffs\" href=\"\/15.2-1610\/\">15.2-1610<\/a> with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to deceive a casual observer or with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to impersonate the office of sheriff is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. A second or subsequent <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> is punishable as a Class 6 <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">substantially similar<\/span>&#8221; means so similar in <span class=\"dictionary\">appearance<\/span> as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWEARING OF SAME OR SIMILAR UNIFORMS BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS; PENALTY (\u00a7\n15.2-1612)\n\nAny unauthorized person who wears a uniform identical to or substantially\nsimilar to a standard uniform used by an office of sheriff in accordance with \u00a7\n15.2-1610 with the intent to deceive a casual observer or with the intent to\nimpersonate the office of sheriff is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second\nor subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, &#8220;substantially similar&#8221; means so\nsimilar in appearance as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 626, \u00a7 15.1-90.4; 1997, c. 587; 2005, cc. 337, 452; 2013, c.\n431.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}