<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>71288</law_id><section_number>18.2-36.2</section_number><catch_line>Involuntary manslaughter; operating a watercraft while under the influence; penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-270</reference><reference>19.2-187.02</reference><reference>19.2-392.02</reference><reference>19.2-392.12</reference><reference>46.2-341.28</reference><reference>46.2-382</reference></referred_to_by><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="4">Crimes Against the Person</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Homicide</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any person who, as a result of operating a watercraft or motorboat in violation of clause (ii), (iii), or (iv) of subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Operating boat or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner or while intoxicated, etc" href="/29.1-738/">29.1-738</a> or a similar local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, unintentionally causes the death of another person, is guilty of <span class="dictionary">involuntary manslaughter</span>. <a id="paragraph-256943" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-36.2/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If, in addition, the conduct of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life, he shall be guilty of aggravated <span class="dictionary">involuntary manslaughter</span>, a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one nor more than 20 years, one year of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. <a id="paragraph-256944" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-36.2/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The provisions of this section shall not preclude <span class="dictionary">prosecution</span> under any other <span class="dictionary">homicide</span> <span class="dictionary">statute</span>. The <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> any person convicted under this section not to operate a watercraft or motorboat that is underway upon the waters of the Commonwealth. After five years have passed from the date of the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>, the convicted person may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> the <span class="dictionary">court</span> that entered the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> for the right to operate a watercraft or motorboat upon the waters of the Commonwealth. Upon consideration of such <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may restore the right to operate a watercraft or motorboat subject to such terms and conditions as the <span class="dictionary">court</span> deems appropriate, including the successful completion of a water safety alcohol rehabilitation program described in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Participation in rehabilitation program" href="/29.1-738.5/">29.1-738.5</a>. <a id="paragraph-256945" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-36.2/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2005, c. 376.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
