{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-60.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-60.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-60.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-60.3.html"}],"law_id":54485,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54485,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.3","catch_line":"Stalking; penalty","history":"1992, c. 888; 1994, cc. 360, 521, 739; 1995, c. 824; 1996, cc. 540, 866; 1998, c. 570; 2001, c. 197; 2002, c. 377; 2013, c. 759; 2016, cc. 545, 696, 745; 2022, c. 276.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person, except a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, and acting in the performance of his official duties, and a registered private investigator, as defined in § 9.1-138, who is regulated in accordance with § 9.1-139 and acting in the course of his legitimate business, who on more than one occasion engages in conduct, either in person or through any other means, including by mail, telephone, or an electronically transmitted communication, directed at another person with the intent to place, or when he knows or reasonably should know that the conduct places that other person in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to that other person or to that other person’s family or household member is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the person contacts or follows or attempts to contact or follow the person at whom the conduct is directed after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed, such actions shall be prima facie evidence that the person intended to place that other person, or reasonably should have known that the other person was placed, in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to himself or a family or household member.B\n\nAny person who is convicted of a second offense of subsection A occurring within five years of a prior conviction of such an offense under this section or for a substantially similar offense under the law of any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class 6 felony.C\n\nA person may be convicted under this section in any jurisdiction within the Commonwealth wherein the conduct described in subsection A occurred, if the person engaged in that conduct on at least one occasion in the jurisdiction where the person is tried or in the jurisdiction where the person at whom the conduct is directed resided at the time of such conduct. Evidence of any such conduct that occurred outside the Commonwealth may be admissible, if relevant, in any prosecution under this section.D\n\nUpon finding a person guilty under this section, the court shall, in addition to the sentence imposed, issue an order prohibiting contact between the defendant and the victim or the victim’s family or household member.E\n\nThe Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director shall give notice prior to the release from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail of any person incarcerated upon conviction of a violation of this section, to any victim of the offense who, in writing, requests notice, or to any person designated in writing by the victim. The notice shall be given at least 15 days prior to release of a person sentenced to a term of incarceration of more than 30 days or, if the person was sentenced to a term of incarceration of at least 48 hours but no more than 30 days, 24 hours prior to release. If the person escapes, notice shall be given as soon as practicable following the escape. The victim shall keep the Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director informed of the current mailing address and telephone number of the person named in the writing submitted to receive notice.\n\t\t\tAll information relating to any person who receives or may receive notice under this subsection shall remain confidential and shall not be made available to the person convicted of violating this section.\n\t\t\tFor purposes of this subsection, “release” includes a release of the offender from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail (i) upon completion of his term of incarceration or (ii) on probation or parole.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach to the Department of Corrections nor to any sheriff or regional jail director or their deputies or employees for a failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection.F\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Family or household member” has the same meaning as provided in § 16.1-228.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":200026,"text":"Any person, except a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, and acting in the performance of his official duties, and a registered private investigator, as defined in § 9.1-138, who is regulated in accordance with § 9.1-139 and acting in the course of his legitimate business, who on more than one occasion engages in conduct, either in person or through any other means, including by mail, telephone, or an electronically transmitted communication, directed at another person with the intent to place, or when he knows or reasonably should know that the conduct places that other person in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to that other person or to that other person’s family or household member is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the person contacts or follows or attempts to contact or follow the person at whom the conduct is directed after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed, such actions shall be prima facie evidence that the person intended to place that other person, or reasonably should have known that the other person was placed, in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to himself or a family or household member.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":200027,"text":"Any person who is convicted of a second offense of subsection A occurring within five years of a prior conviction of such an offense under this section or for a substantially similar offense under the law of any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":200028,"text":"A person may be convicted under this section in any jurisdiction within the Commonwealth wherein the conduct described in subsection A occurred, if the person engaged in that conduct on at least one occasion in the jurisdiction where the person is tried or in the jurisdiction where the person at whom the conduct is directed resided at the time of such conduct. Evidence of any such conduct that occurred outside the Commonwealth may be admissible, if relevant, in any prosecution under this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":200029,"text":"Upon finding a person guilty under this section, the court shall, in addition to the sentence imposed, issue an order prohibiting contact between the defendant and the victim or the victim’s family or household member.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":200030,"text":"The Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director shall give notice prior to the release from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail of any person incarcerated upon conviction of a violation of this section, to any victim of the offense who, in writing, requests notice, or to any person designated in writing by the victim. The notice shall be given at least 15 days prior to release of a person sentenced to a term of incarceration of more than 30 days or, if the person was sentenced to a term of incarceration of at least 48 hours but no more than 30 days, 24 hours prior to release. If the person escapes, notice shall be given as soon as practicable following the escape. The victim shall keep the Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director informed of the current mailing address and telephone number of the person named in the writing submitted to receive notice.\n\t\t\tAll information relating to any person who receives or may receive notice under this subsection shall remain confidential and shall not be made available to the person convicted of violating this section.\n\t\t\tFor purposes of this subsection, “release” includes a release of the offender from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail (i) upon completion of his term of incarceration or (ii) on probation or parole.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach to the Department of Corrections nor to any sheriff or regional jail director or their deputies or employees for a failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":200031,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Family or household member” has the same meaning as provided in § 16.1-228.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13516,"edition_id":1,"name":"Extortion and Other Threats","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:07","permalink":{"id":165091,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13516,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/4\/6","url":"\/18.2\/4\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":164763,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13100,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","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":72142,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-59","catch_line":"Extortion of money, property or pecuniary benefit","url":"\/18.2-59\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-59","metadata":false},{"id":59217,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-59.1","catch_line":"Sexual extortion; penalty","url":"\/18.2-59.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-59.1","metadata":false},{"id":70858,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60","catch_line":"Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or member of his family; threats of death or discharge of a firearm on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to health care providers; penalties","url":"\/18.2-60\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60","metadata":false},{"id":66281,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.1","catch_line":"Threatening the Governor or his immediate family","url":"\/18.2-60.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.1","metadata":false},{"id":62513,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.2","catch_line":"Members of the Governor's immediate family","url":"\/18.2-60.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.2","metadata":false},{"id":54485,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.3","catch_line":"Stalking; penalty","url":"\/18.2-60.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.3","metadata":false},{"id":86834,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.4","catch_line":"Violation of protective orders; penalty","url":"\/18.2-60.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.4","metadata":false},{"id":68255,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.5","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of electronic tracking device; penalty","url":"\/18.2-60.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62513,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.2","catch_line":"Members of the Governor's immediate family","url":"\/18.2-60.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86834,"structure_id":13516,"section_number":"18.2-60.4","catch_line":"Violation of protective orders; penalty","url":"\/18.2-60.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-60.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 888 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 1992 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1994, chapters 360<\/a>, 521<\/a>, and 739<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 824<\/a>; in 1996, chapters 540<\/a> and 866<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 570<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 197<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 377<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 759<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 545<\/a>, 696<\/a>, and 745<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 276<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82642,"section_number":"16.1-253.2","catch_line":"Violation of provisions of protective orders; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.2\/"},{"id":63770,"section_number":"16.1-309.1","catch_line":"Exception as to confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-309.1\/"},{"id":80246,"section_number":"17.1-805","catch_line":"Adoption of initial discretionary sentencing guideline midpoints","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-805\/"},{"id":72509,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:4","catch_line":"Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1_4\/"},{"id":86583,"section_number":"18.2-46.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.1\/"},{"id":86834,"section_number":"18.2-60.4","catch_line":"Violation of protective orders; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.4\/"},{"id":56192,"section_number":"19.2-11.01","catch_line":"Crime victim and witness rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.01\/"},{"id":75041,"section_number":"19.2-299","catch_line":"Investigations and reports by probation officers in certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-299\/"},{"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":69386,"section_number":"19.2-368.2","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-368.2\/"},{"id":61280,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"},{"id":74660,"section_number":"19.2-392.12","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12\/"},{"id":63732,"section_number":"2.2-515.2","catch_line":"Address confidentiality program established; victims of domestic violence, stalking, child abduction, sexual violence, or human trafficking; application; disclosure of records","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-515.2\/"},{"id":64442,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:1","catch_line":"Reports of certain acts to school authorities; reports of certain acts by school authorities to parents; reports of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.3_1\/"},{"id":55596,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:2","catch_line":"Public elementary and secondary school students; protective orders; notification","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.3_2\/"},{"id":63586,"section_number":"53.1-202.3","catch_line":"Rate at which sentence credits may be earned; prerequisites","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-202.3\/"},{"id":58640,"section_number":"53.1-40.02","catch_line":"Conditional release of terminally ill prisoners","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.02\/"},{"id":68972,"section_number":"55.1-1236","catch_line":"Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse or other criminal sexual assault, or stalking","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1236\/"},{"id":70599,"section_number":"8.01-42.3","catch_line":"Civil action for stalking","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-42.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"},{"id":69682,"section_number":"9.1-138","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-138\/"},{"id":63110,"section_number":"9.1-139","catch_line":"Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-139\/"}],"permalink":{"id":165113,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54485,"identifier":"18.2-60.3","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.3","url":"\/18.2-60.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-60.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/6\/18.2-60.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Stalking; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-60.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person, except a law<\/span>-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>, and acting in the performance of his official duties, and a registered private investigator, as defined in § 9.1-138<\/a>, who is regulated in accordance with § 9.1-139<\/a> and acting in the course of his legitimate business, who on more than one occasion engages in conduct, either in person or through any other means, including by mail, telephone, or an electronically transmitted communication, directed at another person with the intent<\/span> to place, or when he knows or reasonably should know that the conduct places that other person in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault<\/span>, or bodily injury to that other person or to that other person’s family or household member<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. If the person contacts or follows or attempts to contact or follow the person at whom the conduct is directed after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed, such actions shall be prima facie evidence<\/span> that the person intended to place that other person, or reasonably should have known that the other person was placed, in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault<\/span>, or bodily injury to himself or a family or household member<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any person who is convicted of a second offense<\/span> of subsection A occurring within five years of a prior conviction<\/span> of such an offense<\/span> under this section or for a substantially similar offense<\/span> under the law<\/span> of any other jurisdiction<\/span> is guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A person may be convicted under this section in any jurisdiction<\/span> within the Commonwealth wherein the conduct described in subsection A occurred, if the person engaged in that conduct on at least one occasion in the jurisdiction<\/span> where the person is tried or in the jurisdiction<\/span> where the person at whom the conduct is directed resided at the time of such conduct. Evidence<\/span> of any such conduct that occurred outside the Commonwealth may be admissible<\/span>, if relevant, in any prosecution<\/span> under this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Upon finding<\/span> a person guilty under this section, the court<\/span> shall, in addition to the sentence imposed, issue<\/span> an order<\/span> prohibiting contact between the defendant<\/span> and the victim or the victim’s family or household member<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director shall give notice prior to the release<\/span> from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail of any person incarcerated upon conviction<\/span> of a violation of this section, to any victim of the offense<\/span> who, in writing, requests notice, or to any person designated in writing by the victim. The notice shall be given at least 15 days prior to release<\/span> of a person sentenced to a term of incarceration of more than 30 days or, if the person was sentenced to a term of incarceration of at least 48 hours but no more than 30 days, 24 hours prior to release<\/span>. If the person escapes, notice shall be given as soon as practicable following the escape. The victim shall keep the Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director informed of the current mailing address and telephone number of the person named in the writing submitted to receive notice.\n\t\t\tAll information relating to any person who receives or may receive notice under this subsection shall remain confidential and shall not be made available to the person convicted of violating this section.\n\t\t\tFor purposes of this subsection, “release<\/span>” includes a release<\/span> of the offender from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail (i) upon completion of his term of incarceration or (ii) on probation<\/span> or parole<\/span>.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach to the Department of Corrections nor to any sheriff or regional jail director or their deputies or employees for a failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Family or household member<\/span>” has the same meaning as provided in § 16.1-228<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTALKING; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-60.3)\n\nA. Any person, except a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101,\nand acting in the performance of his official duties, and a registered private\ninvestigator, as defined in § 9.1-138, who is regulated in accordance with\n§ 9.1-139 and acting in the course of his legitimate business, who on more\nthan one occasion engages in conduct, either in person or through any other\nmeans, including by mail, telephone, or an electronically transmitted\ncommunication, directed at another person with the intent to place, or when he\nknows or reasonably should know that the conduct places that other person in\nreasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to that\nother person or to that other person’s family or household member is\nguilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the person contacts or follows or attempts\nto contact or follow the person at whom the conduct is directed after being\ngiven actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed,\nsuch actions shall be prima facie evidence that the person intended to place\nthat other person, or reasonably should have known that the other person was\nplaced, in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury\nto himself or a family or household member.\n\nB. Any person who is convicted of a second offense of subsection A occurring\nwithin five years of a prior conviction of such an offense under this section or\nfor a substantially similar offense under the law of any other jurisdiction is\nguilty of a Class 6 felony.\n\nC. A person may be convicted under this section in any jurisdiction within the\nCommonwealth wherein the conduct described in subsection A occurred, if the\nperson engaged in that conduct on at least one occasion in the jurisdiction\nwhere the person is tried or in the jurisdiction where the person at whom the\nconduct is directed resided at the time of such conduct. Evidence of any such\nconduct that occurred outside the Commonwealth may be admissible, if relevant,\nin any prosecution under this section.\n\nD. Upon finding a person guilty under this section, the court shall, in addition\nto the sentence imposed, issue an order prohibiting contact between the\ndefendant and the victim or the victim’s family or household member.\n\nE. The Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director shall give\nnotice prior to the release from a state correctional facility or a local or\nregional jail of any person incarcerated upon conviction of a violation of this\nsection, to any victim of the offense who, in writing, requests notice, or to\nany person designated in writing by the victim. The notice shall be given at\nleast 15 days prior to release of a person sentenced to a term of incarceration\nof more than 30 days or, if the person was sentenced to a term of incarceration\nof at least 48 hours but no more than 30 days, 24 hours prior to release. If the\nperson escapes, notice shall be given as soon as practicable following the\nescape. The victim shall keep the Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional\njail director informed of the current mailing address and telephone number of\nthe person named in the writing submitted to receive notice.\n\t\t\tAll information relating to any person who receives or may receive notice\nunder this subsection shall remain confidential and shall not be made available\nto the person convicted of violating this section.\n\t\t\tFor purposes of this subsection, “release” includes a release of\nthe offender from a state correctional facility or a local or regional jail (i)\nupon completion of his term of incarceration or (ii) on probation or parole.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach to the Department of Corrections nor to any\nsheriff or regional jail director or their deputies or employees for a failure\nto comply with the requirements of this subsection.\n\nF. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Family or household member” has the same meaning as provided in\n§ 16.1-228.\n\nHISTORY: 1992, c. 888; 1994, cc. 360, 521, 739; 1995, c. 824; 1996, cc. 540,\n866; 1998, c. 570; 2001, c. 197; 2002, c. 377; 2013, c. 759; 2016, cc. 545, 696,\n745; 2022, c. 276.","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}}