{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-162.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-162.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-162.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-162.html"}],"law_id":82358,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82358,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-162","catch_line":"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-158; 1960, c. 358; 1964, c. 224; 1966, c. 446; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1980, c. 548; 1981, c. 197; 1985, c. 299; 1992, c. 352; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","full_text":"Any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage any facility which is used to furnish oil, telegraph, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater or water service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event that the destruction or damage may be remedied or repaired for less than $1,000 such act shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. On electric generating property marked with no trespassing signs, the security personnel of a utility may detain a trespasser for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage, or attempt to destroy or damage, any such facility, equipment or material connected therewith, the destruction or damage of which might, in any manner, threaten the release of radioactive materials or ionizing radiation beyond the areas in which they are normally used or contained, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event the destruction or damage results in the death of another due to exposure to radioactive materials or ionizing radiation, such person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony; provided further, that in the event the destruction or damage results in injury to another, such person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":295089,"text":"Any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage any facility which is used to furnish oil, telegraph, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater or water service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event that the destruction or damage may be remedied or repaired for less than $1,000 such act shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. On electric generating property marked with no trespassing signs, the security personnel of a utility may detain a trespasser for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage, or attempt to destroy or damage, any such facility, equipment or material connected therewith, the destruction or damage of which might, in any manner, threaten the release of radioactive materials or ionizing radiation beyond the areas in which they are normally used or contained, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event the destruction or damage results in the death of another due to exposure to radioactive materials or ionizing radiation, such person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony; provided further, that in the event the destruction or damage results in injury to another, such person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Offenses Relating to Railroads and Other Utilities","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13243,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:59","permalink":{"id":165843,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13823,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/5\/8","url":"\/18.2\/5\/8\/","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":75741,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-153","catch_line":"Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc","url":"\/18.2-153\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-153","metadata":false},{"id":74056,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-154","catch_line":"Shooting at or throwing missiles, etc., at train, car, vessel, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-154\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-154","metadata":false},{"id":78419,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-155","catch_line":"Injuring, etc., signal used by railroad","url":"\/18.2-155\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-155","metadata":false},{"id":63109,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-156","catch_line":"Taking or removing waste or packing from journal boxes","url":"\/18.2-156\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-156","metadata":false},{"id":70290,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-157","catch_line":"Injury to fences or cattle stops along line of railroad","url":"\/18.2-157\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-157","metadata":false},{"id":84549,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-158","catch_line":"Driving, etc., animal on track to recover damages","url":"\/18.2-158\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-158","metadata":false},{"id":87366,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-159","catch_line":"Trespassing on railroad track","url":"\/18.2-159\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-159","metadata":false},{"id":62718,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-160","catch_line":"Trespassing on railroad trains","url":"\/18.2-160\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160","metadata":false},{"id":77630,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-160.1","catch_line":"Boarding or riding transportation district train without lawful payment of fare; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":63712,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-160.2","catch_line":"Trespassing on public transportation; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.2","metadata":false},{"id":54837,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-160.3","catch_line":"Fare enforcement inspectors; failure to produce proof of payment of fare; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.3\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.3","metadata":false},{"id":86771,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-161","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-161\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-161","metadata":false},{"id":82358,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-162","catch_line":"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities","url":"\/18.2-162\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162","metadata":false},{"id":60327,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-162.1","catch_line":"Diverting wastewater line; diverting or wasting public water supply","url":"\/18.2-162.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162.1","metadata":false},{"id":82135,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-163","catch_line":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","url":"\/18.2-163\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-163","metadata":false},{"id":74499,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-164","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, telephone and telegraph lines; copying or obstructing messages; penalty","url":"\/18.2-164\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-164","metadata":false},{"id":69498,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-165","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, television or radio signals and equipment","url":"\/18.2-165\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165","metadata":false},{"id":70831,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-165.1","catch_line":"Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service","url":"\/18.2-165.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165.1","metadata":false},{"id":78641,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-165.2","catch_line":"Unlawful interference with emergency two-way radio communications; penalty","url":"\/18.2-165.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165.2","metadata":false},{"id":85910,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-166","catch_line":"Disclosing or inducing disclosure of certain information concerning customers of telephone companies","url":"\/18.2-166\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-166","metadata":false},{"id":78055,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-167","catch_line":"Selling or transferring certain telephonic instruments","url":"\/18.2-167\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-167","metadata":false},{"id":76266,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-167.1","catch_line":"Interception or monitoring of customer telephone calls; penalty","url":"\/18.2-167.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-167.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86771,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-161","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-161\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-161","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60327,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-162.1","catch_line":"Diverting wastewater line; diverting or wasting public water supply","url":"\/18.2-162.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-162\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 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 1964, chapter 224; in 1966, chapter 446; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1980, chapter 548; in 1981, chapter 197; in 1985, chapter 299; in 1992, chapter 352; in 2018, chapters 764<\/a> and 765<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 89<\/a> and 401<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80246,"section_number":"17.1-805","catch_line":"Adoption of initial discretionary sentencing guideline midpoints","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-805\/"},{"id":78050,"section_number":"18.2-121.3","catch_line":"Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-121.3\/"},{"id":82135,"section_number":"18.2-163","catch_line":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-163\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":165893,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82358,"identifier":"18.2-162","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162","url":"\/18.2-162\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-162\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162","dublin_core":{"Title":"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-162","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage any facility which is used to furnish oil, telegraph, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater or water service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony<\/span>, provided that in the event that the destruction or damage may be remedied or repaired for less than $1,000 such act shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. On electric generating property marked with no trespassing signs, the security personnel of a utility may detain<\/span> a trespasser for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law<\/span>-enforcement officer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any person who shall intentionally destroy or damage, or attempt to destroy or damage, any such facility, equipment or material<\/span> connected therewith, the destruction or damage of which might, in any manner, threaten the release of radioactive materials<\/span> or ionizing radiation beyond the areas in which they are normally used or contained, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony<\/span>, provided that in the event the destruction or damage results in the death of another due to exposure to radioactive materials<\/span> or ionizing radiation, such person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony<\/span>; provided further, that in the event the destruction or damage results in injury to another, such person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDAMAGE OR TRESPASS TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR UTILITIES (\u00a7 18.2-162)\n\nAny person who shall intentionally destroy or damage any facility which is used\nto furnish oil, telegraph, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater or water\nservice to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the\nevent that the destruction or damage may be remedied or repaired for less than\n$1,000 such act shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. On electric generating\nproperty marked with no trespassing signs, the security personnel of a utility\nmay detain a trespasser for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a\nlaw-enforcement officer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any person who shall\nintentionally destroy or damage, or attempt to destroy or damage, any such\nfacility, equipment or material connected therewith, the destruction or damage\nof which might, in any manner, threaten the release of radioactive materials or\nionizing radiation beyond the areas in which they are normally used or\ncontained, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event the\ndestruction or damage results in the death of another due to exposure to\nradioactive materials or ionizing radiation, such person shall be guilty of a\nClass 2 felony; provided further, that in the event the destruction or damage\nresults in injury to another, such person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-158; 1960, c. 358; 1964, c. 224; 1966, c. 446; 1975,\ncc. 14, 15; 1980, c. 548; 1981, c. 197; 1985, c. 299; 1992, c. 352; 2018, cc.\n764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","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}}