{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-163.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-163.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-163.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-163.html"}],"law_id":82135,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82135,"structure_id":13823,"section_number":"18.2-163","catch_line":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-158.1; 1966, c. 446; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1976, c. 273; 1978, c. 813; 1992, c. 525.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who (i) tampers with any metering device incident to the facilities set forth in &#xA7; 18.2-162, or otherwise intentionally prevents such a metering device from properly registering the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied, or (ii) diverts such service, except telephonic or electronic extension service not owned or controlled by any such company without authorization from the owner of the facility furnishing the service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.B\n\nThe presence of any metering device found to have been altered, tampered with, or bypassed in a manner that would cause the metering device to inaccurately measure and register the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied or which would cause the service to be diverted from the recording apparatus of the meter shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate and of the violation of this section by the person to whose benefit it is that such service be unmetered, unregistered or diverted.C\n\nThe court may order restitution for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":294378,"text":"Any person who (i) tampers with any metering device incident to the facilities set forth in &#xA7; 18.2-162, or otherwise intentionally prevents such a metering device from properly registering the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied, or (ii) diverts such service, except telephonic or electronic extension service not owned or controlled by any such company without authorization from the owner of the facility furnishing the service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":294379,"text":"The presence of any metering device found to have been altered, tampered with, or bypassed in a manner that would cause the metering device to inaccurately measure and register the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied or which would cause the service to be diverted from the recording apparatus of the meter shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate and of the violation of this section by the person to whose benefit it is that such service be unmetered, unregistered or diverted.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":294380,"text":"The court may order restitution for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-163\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1966, chapter 446; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1976, chapter 273; in 1978, chapter 813; in 1992, chapter 525.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81782,"section_number":"8.01-44.7","catch_line":"Action for tampering with metering device and diverting service","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-44.7\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82358,"section_number":"18.2-162","catch_line":"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-162\/"}],"permalink":{"id":165901,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82135,"identifier":"18.2-163","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-163","url":"\/18.2-163\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-163\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-163","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-163","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any person who (i) tampers with any metering device incident to the facilities set forth in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities\" href=\"\/18.2-162\/\">18.2-162<\/a>, or otherwise intentionally prevents such a metering device from properly registering the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied, or (ii) diverts such service, except telephonic or electronic extension service not owned or controlled by any such company without authorization from the owner of the facility furnishing the service to the public, shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-294378\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-163\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The presence of any metering device found to have been altered, tampered with, or bypassed in a manner that would cause the metering device to inaccurately measure and register the degree, amount or quantity of service supplied or which would cause the service to be diverted from the recording apparatus of the meter shall be prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to violate and of the violation of this section by the person to whose benefit it is that such service be unmetered, unregistered or diverted. <a id=\"paragraph-294379\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-163\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">restitution<\/span> for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service. <a id=\"paragraph-294380\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-163\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTAMPERING WITH METERING DEVICE; DIVERTING SERVICE; CIVIL LIABILITY (\u00a7 18.2-163)\n\nA. Any person who (i) tampers with any metering device incident to the\nfacilities set forth in &#xA7; 18.2-162, or otherwise intentionally prevents\nsuch a metering device from properly registering the degree, amount or quantity\nof service supplied, or (ii) diverts such service, except telephonic or\nelectronic extension service not owned or controlled by any such company without\nauthorization from the owner of the facility furnishing the service to the\npublic, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nB. The presence of any metering device found to have been altered, tampered\nwith, or bypassed in a manner that would cause the metering device to\ninaccurately measure and register the degree, amount or quantity of service\nsupplied or which would cause the service to be diverted from the recording\napparatus of the meter shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate and of\nthe violation of this section by the person to whose benefit it is that such\nservice be unmetered, unregistered or diverted.\n\nC. The court may order restitution for the value of the services unlawfully used\nand for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the\nbase wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit\ncosts. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not\nexceed $250, excluding the value of the service.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-158.1; 1966, c. 446; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1976, c. 273;\n1978, c. 813; 1992, c. 525.","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}}