{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-119.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-119.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-119.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-119.html"}],"law_id":76989,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76989,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-119","catch_line":"Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-173; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1982, c. 169; 1987, cc. 625, 705; 1991, c. 534; 1998, cc. 569, 684; 2011, c. 195.","full_text":"If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or \u00a7 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to \u00a7 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":276305,"text":"If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or \u00a7 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to \u00a7 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trespass to Realty","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13243,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:59:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:59:19","permalink":{"id":165549,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15771,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/5\/5","url":"\/18.2\/5\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13243,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against Property","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","permalink":{"id":165299,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13243,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/5","url":"\/18.2\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76989,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-119","catch_line":"Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties","url":"\/18.2-119\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-119","metadata":false},{"id":74410,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-119.1","catch_line":"Validity of signs forbidding trespass; penalty","url":"\/18.2-119.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-119.1","metadata":false},{"id":82145,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-120","catch_line":"Instigating, etc., such trespass by others; preventing service to persons not forbidden to trespass","url":"\/18.2-120\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-120","metadata":false},{"id":68767,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-121","catch_line":"Entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc.; penalties","url":"\/18.2-121\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-121","metadata":false},{"id":80533,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-121.1","catch_line":"Permitting certain animals to run at large","url":"\/18.2-121.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-121.1","metadata":false},{"id":70083,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-121.2","catch_line":"Trespass by spotlight on agricultural land","url":"\/18.2-121.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-121.2","metadata":false},{"id":78050,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-121.3","catch_line":"Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; penalty","url":"\/18.2-121.3\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-121.3","metadata":false},{"id":78921,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-122","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-122\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-122","metadata":false},{"id":85017,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-123","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-123\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-123","metadata":false},{"id":73272,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-124","catch_line":"Jurisdiction over offenses committed in Capitol Square","url":"\/18.2-124\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-124","metadata":false},{"id":86603,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-125","catch_line":"Trespass at night upon any cemetery","url":"\/18.2-125\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-125","metadata":false},{"id":75180,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-126","catch_line":"Violation of sepulture; defilement of a dead human body; penalties","url":"\/18.2-126\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-126","metadata":false},{"id":78721,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-127","catch_line":"Injuries to churches, church property, cemeteries, burial grounds, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-127\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-127","metadata":false},{"id":85982,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-128","catch_line":"Trespass upon church or school property","url":"\/18.2-128\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-128","metadata":false},{"id":63739,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-129","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-129\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-129","metadata":false},{"id":62388,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-130","catch_line":"Peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosure","url":"\/18.2-130\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-130","metadata":false},{"id":70019,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-130.1","catch_line":"Peeping or spying into dwelling or occupied building by electronic device or unmanned aircraft system; penalty","url":"\/18.2-130.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-130.1","metadata":false},{"id":68049,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-131","catch_line":"Trespass upon licensed shooting preserve","url":"\/18.2-131\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-131","metadata":false},{"id":65729,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-132","catch_line":"Trespass by hunters and fishers","url":"\/18.2-132\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-132","metadata":false},{"id":74846,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-132.1","catch_line":"Trespass by hunters using dogs; penalty","url":"\/18.2-132.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-132.1","metadata":false},{"id":80288,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-133","catch_line":"Refusal of person on land, etc., of another to identify himself","url":"\/18.2-133\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-133","metadata":false},{"id":74280,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-134","catch_line":"Trespass on posted property","url":"\/18.2-134\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-134","metadata":false},{"id":75088,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-134.1","catch_line":"Method of posting lands","url":"\/18.2-134.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-134.1","metadata":false},{"id":68048,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-135","catch_line":"Destruction of posted signs; posting land of another","url":"\/18.2-135\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-135","metadata":false},{"id":60709,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-136","catch_line":"Right of certain hunters to go on lands of another; carrying firearms or bows and arrows prohibited","url":"\/18.2-136\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-136","metadata":false},{"id":67481,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-136.1","catch_line":"Enforcement of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-131 through 18.2-135","url":"\/18.2-136.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-136.1","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":74410,"structure_id":15771,"section_number":"18.2-119.1","catch_line":"Validity of signs forbidding trespass; penalty","url":"\/18.2-119.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-119.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-119\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1960, chapter 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1982, chapter 169; in 1987, chapters 625 and 705; in 1991, chapter 534; in 1998, chapters 569<\/a> and 684<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 195<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75499,"section_number":"15.2-1717.1","catch_line":"Designation of police to enforce trespass violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1717.1\/"},{"id":81568,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:1","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons acquitted by reason of insanity; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1_1\/"},{"id":85695,"section_number":"19.2-169.1","catch_line":"Raising question of competency to stand trial or plead; evaluation and determination of competency","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.1\/"},{"id":66444,"section_number":"19.2-169.2","catch_line":"Disposition when defendant found incompetent","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.2\/"},{"id":80703,"section_number":"19.2-169.3","catch_line":"Disposition of the unrestorably incompetent defendant; aggravated murder charge; sexually violent offense charge","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.3\/"},{"id":55101,"section_number":"19.2-303.2","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense may be placed on probation","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-303.2\/"},{"id":72639,"section_number":"19.2-310.2","catch_line":"Blood, saliva, or tissue sample required for DNA analysis upon conviction of certain crimes; fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-310.2\/"},{"id":58970,"section_number":"19.2-327.15","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.15\/"},{"id":76488,"section_number":"19.2-392.12:1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of charges and convictions related to automatic sealing; petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12_1\/"},{"id":82865,"section_number":"19.2-392.6","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in conviction","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.6\/"},{"id":61272,"section_number":"2.2-2340","catch_line":"Additional declaration of policy; powers of the Authority; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2340\/"},{"id":58803,"section_number":"23.1-3208","catch_line":"Regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-3208\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":62537,"section_number":"16.1-253","catch_line":"Preliminary protective order","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253\/"},{"id":61705,"section_number":"16.1-253.1","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.1\/"},{"id":60177,"section_number":"16.1-253.4","catch_line":"Emergency protective orders authorized in certain cases; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.4\/"},{"id":75260,"section_number":"16.1-278.14","catch_line":"Criminal jurisdiction; protective orders; family offenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.14\/"},{"id":78408,"section_number":"16.1-278.15","catch_line":"Custody or visitation, child or spousal support generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.15\/"},{"id":59979,"section_number":"16.1-278.2","catch_line":"Abused, neglected, or abandoned children or children without parental care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.2\/"},{"id":74489,"section_number":"16.1-278.6","catch_line":"Status offenders","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.6\/"},{"id":62824,"section_number":"16.1-278.8","catch_line":"Delinquent juveniles","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.8\/"},{"id":62456,"section_number":"16.1-279.1","catch_line":"Protective order in cases of family abuse","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-279.1\/"},{"id":65729,"section_number":"18.2-132","catch_line":"Trespass by hunters and fishers","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-132\/"},{"id":60709,"section_number":"18.2-136","catch_line":"Right of certain hunters to go on lands of another; carrying firearms or bows and arrows prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-136\/"},{"id":83461,"section_number":"19.2-152.10","catch_line":"Protective order","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.10\/"},{"id":67602,"section_number":"19.2-152.8","catch_line":"Emergency protective orders authorized","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.8\/"},{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":84768,"section_number":"20-103","catch_line":"Court may make orders pending suit for divorce, custody or visitation, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-103\/"}],"permalink":{"id":165551,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76989,"identifier":"18.2-119","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-119","url":"\/18.2-119\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-119\/","token":"18.2\/5\/5\/18.2-119","dublin_core":{"Title":"Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-119","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

If any person without authority of law<\/span> goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span> by an order<\/span> issued pursuant to \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-253<\/a>, 16.1-253.1<\/a>, 16.1-253.4<\/a>, 16.1-278.2<\/a> through 16.1-278.6<\/a>, 16.1-278.8<\/a>, 16.1-278.14<\/a>, 16.1-278.15<\/a>, 16.1-279.1<\/a>, 19.2-152.8<\/a>, 19.2-152.9<\/a> or \u00a7 19.2-152.10<\/a> or an ex parte<\/span> order<\/span> issued pursuant to \u00a7 20-103<\/a>, and after having been served with such order<\/span>, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-132<\/a> through 18.2-136<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRESPASS AFTER HAVING BEEN FORBIDDEN TO DO SO; PENALTIES (\u00a7 18.2-119)\n\nIf any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands,\nbuildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having\nbeen forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee,\ncustodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge\nthereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or\nat the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the\nholder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument\ncreating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or\nportion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably\nseen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to\nthe use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such\nland, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court\nof competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to \u00a7\u00a7 16.1-253,\n16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14,\n16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or \u00a7 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte\norder issued pursuant to \u00a7 20-103, and after having been served with such\norder, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be\nconstrued to affect in any way the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-173; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1982, c. 169;\n1987, cc. 625, 705; 1991, c. 534; 1998, cc. 569, 684; 2011, c. 195.","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}}