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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54604</law_id><section_number>18.2-12.1</section_number><catch_line>Mandatory minimum punishment; definition</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">In General</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Classification of Criminal Offenses and Punishment Therefor</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>&#x201C;Mandatory minimum&#x201D; wherever it appears in this Code means, for purposes of imposing punishment upon a person convicted of a <span class="dictionary">crime</span>, that the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall impose the entire term of confinement, the full amount of the fine and the complete requirement of <span class="dictionary">community service</span> prescribed by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall not suspend in full or in part any punishment described as mandatory minimum punishment.</p></section></text><history>2004, c. 461.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
