{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-461.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-461.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-461.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-461.1.html"}],"law_id":58515,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58515,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-461.1","catch_line":"False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties","history":"2023, cc. 22, 23.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency communication” means a communication of any type to report a fire or to summon a firefighter, as defined in § 65.2-107, law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, or emergency medical services personnel, as defined in § 32.1-111.1, in a situation where human life, health, or property is reported to be in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.\n\t\t\t“Emergency personnel” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-426.\n\t\t\t“Emergency response” means a response by a firefighter, law-enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel to a situation where human life, health, or property is in jeopardy and the prompt provision of aid is essential to protect human life, health, or property.B\n\nAny person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.C\n\nAny person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response and any person suffers serious bodily injury, as defined in § 18.2-51.4, as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to emergency personnel is guilty of a Class 6 felony.D\n\nAny person who reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response and any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to personnel is guilty of a Class 5 felony.E\n\nAny person violating this section may be prosecuted in the county or city where the emergency communication was made, in the county or city where the emergency communication was received, or in the county or city where the emergency response occurred.F\n\nA violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other statute.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214454,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency communication” means a communication of any type to report a fire or to summon a firefighter, as defined in § 65.2-107, law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, or emergency medical services personnel, as defined in § 32.1-111.1, in a situation where human life, health, or property is reported to be in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.\n\t\t\t“Emergency personnel” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-426.\n\t\t\t“Emergency response” means a response by a firefighter, law-enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel to a situation where human life, health, or property is in jeopardy and the prompt provision of aid is essential to protect human life, health, or property.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":214455,"text":"Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":214456,"text":"Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response and any person suffers serious bodily injury, as defined in § 18.2-51.4, as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to emergency personnel is guilty of a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":214457,"text":"Any person who reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response and any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to personnel is guilty of a Class 5 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":214458,"text":"Any person violating this section may be prosecuted in the county or city where the emergency communication was made, in the county or city where the emergency communication was received, or in the county or city where the emergency response occurred.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":214459,"text":"A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other statute.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14374,"edition_id":1,"name":"Interference With Administration of Justice","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13246,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:55","permalink":{"id":164349,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14374,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/10\/6","url":"\/18.2\/10\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13246,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against the Administration of Justice","identifier":"10","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":164221,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13246,"identifier":"10","token":"18.2\/10","url":"\/18.2\/10\/","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":56127,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-460","catch_line":"Obstructing justice; resisting arrest; fleeing from a law-enforcement officer; penalties","url":"\/18.2-460\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-460","metadata":false},{"id":63578,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-460.1","catch_line":"Unlawful disclosure of existence of order authorizing wire or oral interception of communication","url":"\/18.2-460.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-460.1","metadata":false},{"id":79594,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-461","catch_line":"Falsely summoning or giving false reports to law-enforcement officials","url":"\/18.2-461\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-461","metadata":false},{"id":58515,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-461.1","catch_line":"False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties","url":"\/18.2-461.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-461.1","metadata":false},{"id":85622,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-462","catch_line":"Concealing or compounding offenses; penalties","url":"\/18.2-462\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-462","metadata":false},{"id":76069,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-462.1","catch_line":"Use of police radio during commission of crime","url":"\/18.2-462.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-462.1","metadata":false},{"id":61665,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-463","catch_line":"Refusal to aid officer in execution of his office","url":"\/18.2-463\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-463","metadata":false},{"id":56911,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-464","catch_line":"Failure to obey order of conservator of the peace","url":"\/18.2-464\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-464","metadata":false},{"id":73691,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-465","catch_line":"Officer summoning juror to act impartially","url":"\/18.2-465\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-465","metadata":false},{"id":55703,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-465.1","catch_line":"Penalizing employee for court appearance or service on jury panel","url":"\/18.2-465.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-465.1","metadata":false},{"id":62898,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-465.2","catch_line":"Contact with jurors after trial prohibited; 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penalty","url":"\/18.2-471.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-471.1","metadata":false},{"id":73316,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-472","catch_line":"False entries or destruction of records by officers","url":"\/18.2-472\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-472","metadata":false},{"id":57746,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-472.1","catch_line":"Providing false information or failing to provide registration information; penalty; prima facie evidence","url":"\/18.2-472.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-472.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79594,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-461","catch_line":"Falsely summoning or giving false reports to law-enforcement officials","url":"\/18.2-461\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-461","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85622,"structure_id":14374,"section_number":"18.2-462","catch_line":"Concealing or compounding offenses; penalties","url":"\/18.2-462\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-462","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-461.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 22<\/a> and 23<\/a> 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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":54447,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56806,"section_number":"18.2-426","catch_line":"\"Emergency call\" and \"emergency personnel\" defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-426\/"},{"id":54708,"section_number":"18.2-51.4","catch_line":"Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-51.4\/"},{"id":74269,"section_number":"32.1-111.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-111.1\/"},{"id":58233,"section_number":"65.2-107","catch_line":"Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters","order_by":null,"url":"\/65.2-107\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":164363,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58515,"identifier":"18.2-461.1","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-461.1","url":"\/18.2-461.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-461.1\/","token":"18.2\/10\/6\/18.2-461.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"False emergency communication to emergency personnel; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-461.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency communication<\/span>” means a communication of any type to report a fire or to summon a firefighter, as defined in § 65.2-107<\/a>, law<\/span>-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>, or emergency medical services personnel, as defined in § 32.1-111.1<\/a>, in a situation where human life, health, or property is reported to be in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.\n\t\t\t“Emergency personnel<\/span>” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-426<\/a>.\n\t\t\t“Emergency response<\/span>” means a response by a firefighter, law<\/span>-enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel to a situation where human life, health, or property is in jeopardy and the prompt provision of aid is essential to protect human life, health, or property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication<\/span> to any emergency personnel<\/span> that results in an emergency response<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication<\/span> to any emergency personnel<\/span> that results in an emergency response<\/span> and any person suffers serious bodily injury, as defined in § 18.2-51.4<\/a>, as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication<\/span> to emergency personnel<\/span> is guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any person who reports, or causes another to report in reliance on intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency communication<\/span> to any emergency personnel<\/span> that results in an emergency response<\/span> and any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication<\/span> to personnel is guilty of a Class 5 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any person violating this section may be prosecuted in the county or city where the emergency communication<\/span> was made, in the county or city where the emergency communication<\/span> was received, or in the county or city where the emergency response<\/span> occurred. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense<\/span>. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution<\/span> under any other statute<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFALSE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL; PENALTIES (\u00a7 18.2-461.1)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency communication” means a communication of any type to\nreport a fire or to summon a firefighter, as defined in § 65.2-107,\nlaw-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, or emergency medical\nservices personnel, as defined in § 32.1-111.1, in a situation where human\nlife, health, or property is reported to be in jeopardy and the prompt summoning\nof aid is essential.\n\t\t\t“Emergency personnel” means the same as that term is defined in\n§ 18.2-426.\n\t\t\t“Emergency response” means a response by a firefighter,\nlaw-enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel to a situation\nwhere human life, health, or property is in jeopardy and the prompt provision of\naid is essential to protect human life, health, or property.\n\nB. Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on\nintentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency\ncommunication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response\nis guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nC. Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on\nintentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency\ncommunication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response\nand any person suffers serious bodily injury, as defined in § 18.2-51.4, as\na direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to emergency\npersonnel is guilty of a Class 6 felony.\n\nD. Any person who reports, or causes another to report in reliance on\nintentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency\ncommunication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response\nand any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency\ncommunication to personnel is guilty of a Class 5 felony.\n\nE. Any person violating this section may be prosecuted in the county or city\nwhere the emergency communication was made, in the county or city where the\nemergency communication was received, or in the county or city where the\nemergency response occurred.\n\nF. A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.\nThe provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other\nstatute.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, cc. 22, 23.","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}}