Virginia Law

A. Any person who falsely assumes or exercises the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or any local, city, county, state, or federal law-enforcement officer, or who, for the purpose of deceiving another, falsely assumes or pretends to be any such officer, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

B. Any person who commits a violation of subsection A while such person is wearing a facial covering is guilty of a Class 5 felony. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 4 felony. For the purposes of this subsection, "facial covering" means any opaque mask, garment, headgear, or other item or device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered to conceal the identity of the wearer, including a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, ski mask, or other similar face-shielding item or device.

C. Any person who commits a violation of subsection A while (i) committing or attempting to commit a violation of § 18.2-31, 18.2-32, 18.2-47, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.3, or 18.2-67.4 or (ii) circumventing, bypassing, or attempting to circumvent or bypass any security measure of any business, commercial building, residence, building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or building owned or leased by a locality or any agency thereof is guilty of a Class 6 felony. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

Code 1950, § 18.1-311; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2013, cc. 410, 431, 638; 2026, cc. 867, 875.