Virginia Law

Any person who intentionally destroys or damages any facility, fixture, equipment, or information technology system that is used to provide, process, transmit, furnish, or maintain oil, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater, cable television, broadband, or water service to the public or other critical infrastructure, as defined in § 44-146.28:2, is guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event that the destruction or damage may be remedied or repaired for less than $1,000 such act shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. On electric generating property marked with no trespassing signs, the security personnel of a utility may detain a trespasser for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any person who intentionally destroys or damages, or attempts to destroy or damage, any such facility, fixture, equipment, information technology system, or material connected therewith, the destruction or damage of which might, in any manner, threaten the release of radioactive materials or ionizing radiation beyond the areas in which they are normally used or contained, is guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that in the event the destruction or damage results in the death of another due to exposure to radioactive materials or ionizing radiation, such person is guilty of a Class 2 felony; provided further, that in the event the destruction or damage results in injury to another, such person is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Code 1950, § 18.1-158; 1960, c. 358; 1964, c. 224; 1966, c. 446; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1980, c. 548; 1981, c. 197; 1985, c. 299; 1992, c. 352; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401; 2026, cc. 105, 106.