                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEFINITIONS (§ 19.2-83.3)

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#8220;Deadly force&#8221; means any force that is likely or intended to cause
serious bodily injury or death.
		&#8220;Deadly weapon&#8221; means any object, other than a body part or
stationary object, that in the manner of its actual, attempted, or threatened
use is likely to cause serious bodily injury or death.
		&#8220;Excessive force&#8221; means any force that is objectively unreasonable
given the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the crime at
issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the
officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or
attempting to evade arrest by flight.
		&#8220;Kinetic impact munitions&#8221; includes impact rounds and baton
rounds, such as rubber batons, bean bag rounds, foam baton rounds, and plastic,
wax, wood, or rubber-coated projectiles.
		&#8220;Neck restraint&#8221; means the use of any body part or object to
attempt to control or disable a person by applying pressure against the neck,
including the trachea or carotid artery, with the purpose, intent, or effect of
controlling or restricting the person&#8217;s movement or restricting the
person&#8217;s blood flow or breathing, including chokeholds, carotid
restraints, and lateral vascular neck restraints.

HISTORY: 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 25, 35, 37, 55.