Virginia Laws
133 articles · page 1 of 3
A
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Virginia? (2026)
Virginia autopsy reports are not public records. Learn who can request one, the next-of-kin priority order, fees, the open-case hold, and how it differs from the death certificate.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Virginia? (2026 Metal Knucks Law)
No Virginia law bans owning metal knucks, but carrying them hidden is a Class 1 misdemeanor (felony on repeat) and selling or giving them is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Virginia? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin is Schedule I in Virginia and possession is a Class 5 felony. A 2026 act ties rescheduling to FDA approval that has not happened.
B
Bankruptcy in Virginia (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Virginia opted out of federal exemptions: a $50,000 homestead claimed by homestead deed under Va. Code 34-4, vehicle exemption, plus the 2026 means-test income.
C
Common Law Marriage in Virginia: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Virginia does not recognize common law marriage formed within the state. Va. Code section 20-13 requires a license and solemnization. Virginia does recognize a valid common law marriage formed in another state.
H
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Virginia? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Virginia: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How Long Is a Life Sentence in West Virginia? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in West Virginia: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find Someone's Cause of Death in Virginia (2026)
How to find a cause of death in Virginia: it appears on the death certificate (family only) and the medical examiner releases cause and manner once a case closes.
How to Get a Virginia Death Certificate (2026)
How to get a Virginia death certificate: order from the VDH Office of Vital Records online, by mail, or in person for $12 per copy. Immediate family eligible.
I
Is Blackmail Illegal in Virginia? Extortion Laws and Penalties
Virginia makes extortion a Class 5 felony under Va. Code 18.2-59 and has a separate sexual extortion law. See the threats covered and the penalties.
Is Jaywalking Illegal in Virginia? Crossing Rules, Stops and Fines
Virginia pedestrians must cross at intersections or marked crosswalks where possible (Va. Code 46.2-923); police may not stop them for it. Ticket: $15 fine plus $51 fee.
Is Kratom Legal in Virginia? Age 21 and 7-OH Cap (2026 Law)
Virginia's Schedule I does not list kratom or 7-OH. State law has barred kratom sales under 21 since 2023, and HB 360 (2026) added a 7-OH cap.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Virginia? Rules and Penalties (2026)
Virginia has no lane-splitting statute, but Va. Code 46.2-857 makes driving abreast of a vehicle in one lane reckless driving. Two motorcycles may ride abreast.
L
Legal Separation in Virginia: Divorce From Bed and Board (2026)
Virginia statutes do not use the term legal separation. Learn how a divorce from bed and board under Va. Code § 20-95 works and how it merges into a divorce.
M
Medical Malpractice Laws in Virginia (2026): Deadlines & Caps
Virginia medical malpractice in 2026: the 2-year deadline, the total damage cap of $2.70M rising to $2.75M on July 1, and the certificate of merit.
Motorcycle Accident Laws in Virginia (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
Virginia motorcycle accident law in 2026: the two-year deadline to sue, the harsh pure-contributory-negligence rule, the universal helmet law, and damage caps.
T
Truck Accident Laws in Virginia (2026): Deadlines & Liability
Virginia truck accident guide: the 2-year filing deadline (Va. Code 8.01-243), the strict contributory negligence rule, at-fault insurance, and FMCSA rules.
V
VCDPA Compliance Checklist for Businesses (2026)
Step-by-step VCDPA compliance checklist: applicability thresholds, sensitive data opt-in consent, data protection assessments, processor contracts, and AG enforcement rules for Virginia businesses.
VCDPA Consumer Rights: Exercise Your Virginia Privacy Rights
Virginia residents have five VCDPA rights: access, correct, delete, portability, and opt-out. Learn how to submit requests, appeal denials, and escalate to the VA AG.
Virginia Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates and Sealed Files
Since July 1, 2026, Virginia adult adoptees can request their original birth certificate directly from the state, with no court order required.
Virginia Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
How Virginia criminal law protects minors by age: rape under 13, carnal knowledge 13 to 14, indecent liberties, penalties, registration tiers, reporting.
Virginia Age Verification Law: Two Separate Statutes, One Lobbying Push
Virginia has two age-verification laws: an enforced 2023 adult-content statute and a 2025 social-media law blocked for NetChoice members, plus a repeal push.
Virginia AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Virginia AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Virginia AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Learn how Virginia consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.
Virginia Annulment Laws: Grounds, Deadlines and How to File (2026)
Virginia annuls marriages under Va. Code § 20-89.1. See the void and voidable grounds, the two-year and cohabitation bars, the age-18 rule and six-month residency.
Virginia Assault and Battery Laws: Charges and Penalties (2026)
Virginia punishes simple assault and assault and battery together as a Class 1 misdemeanor under Va. Code 18.2-57. See when it becomes a felony.
Virginia At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Is Virginia an at-will state? Yes. Learn the Bowman public-policy exception, implied-contract rules, right-to-work status, and your federal protections.
Virginia Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
Virginia audio recording laws allow one-party consent under Va. Code 19.2-62. Learn when you can legally record conversations, penalties for violations, and civil admissibility limits.
Virginia Background Check Laws: Employer, Housing, and Licensing Guide (2026)
Complete guide to Virginia background check laws covering Ban the Box, record sealing, FCRA rules, lookback periods, housing checks, and professional licensing.
Virginia Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Learn how Virginia's VCDPA protects biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans. Opt-in consent required, AG enforcement, up to $7,500 per violation.
Virginia Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One
The VDH Office of Vital Records issues Virginia birth certificates for $15 each. How to order online, by mail or in person, who is eligible, and how to amend one.
Virginia Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Virginia is a pure at-fault state with pure contributory negligence — 1% fault bars all recovery. Learn the 50/100/25 insurance limits, 2-year SOL, and more.
Virginia Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Back Seat & Penalties
Virginia requires a child restraint device through age 7, under Va. Code 46.2-1095. See the back seat rule, 2026 penalties, exemptions, and citations.
Virginia Child Custody Laws: 10 Best-Interests Factors and Your Rights
Virginia weighs 10 factors under Va. Code 20-124.3 with no joint-custody presumption. Learn how courts decide custody, relocation rules, and modification standards.
Virginia Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Virginia uses the Income Shares Model under Va. Code 20-108.2. SB 805 (July 2025) raised the income cap to $42,500/mo. Learn how to calculate, modify, and enforce support.
Virginia Court Records: How to Search, What's Public, and How Sealing Now Works (2026)
Virginia has no free public court records portal. OCRA is attorney-only. Learn how to check a case, plus Virginia's sealing law now live since July 2026.
Virginia Dashcam Laws: Installation, Audio, and Evidence Rules
Virginia dashcam laws allow dashboard cameras with no specific restrictions. Learn about audio recording rules, windshield mounting, insurance benefits, and using footage as evidence.
Virginia Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Virginia requires data breach notification to the Attorney General and affected residents without unreasonable delay. Learn about the $150,000 penalty cap and private right of action for direct economic damages.
Virginia Data Privacy Laws: VCDPA Consumer Rights Guide (2026)
Learn about Virginia data privacy laws including the VCDPA, consumer rights, business obligations, penalties up to $7,500, and data breach notification rules.
Virginia Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Virginia is a closed-record state: only immediate family can buy a certified death certificate ($12). Death data becomes public 25 years after death. Here is how to get one.
Virginia Debt Collection Laws: The 40x Formula, the Charity-Care Medical Rule, and a Real 10-Day Cure
Virginia protects wages above 40x minimum wage, adds a per-child credit, and gives car buyers a 10-day cure right. Medical debt garnishment rules explained.
Virginia Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Virginia's § 18.2-386.2 (amended 2019, 2024) was among the first deepfake NCII laws in the nation. Learn the penalties, what is and isn't covered, and how federal law fills the gaps.
Virginia Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Virginia defamation laws: a 1-year deadline (Va. Code 8.01-247.1), the 8.01-223.2 anti-SLAPP immunity, insulting words, per se categories, and how to sue.
Virginia Disorderly Conduct and Trespass Laws: Penalties (2026)
Virginia disorderly conduct (18.2-415) is a Class 1 misdemeanor that excludes words alone. Trespass after being forbidden is also a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Virginia Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Virginia no-fault divorce requires 1 year of separation (or 6 months with no minor children and a written agreement). No irreconcilable-differences ground. Learn residency, property division, and how to file.
Virginia Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Virginia dog bite laws: the one-bite rule, negligence claims, contributory negligence, dangerous dog rules under Va. Code § 3.2-6540, and victim rights.
Virginia Drone Laws: Warrants, Trespass & Felony Zones
Virginia requires a police drone warrant under Va. Code 19.2-60.1 and criminalizes drone trespass and critical-infrastructure flights under section 18.2-121.3.
Virginia DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Virginia DUI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense penalties under Code 18.2-266, the 1-year license revocation, mandatory interlock, and 10-year look-back.
Virginia E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Virginia e-scooter laws under Code section 46.2-100 and Article 12: the 100 lb, 20 mph device definition, a 14-year age minimum, and no statewide helmet mandate for any rider.
Virginia Easements and Eminent Domain: Prescriptive Rights and Takings
Virginia prescriptive easements generally need 20 years of use proven by clear and convincing evidence. See landlocked-land rules, takings limits and compensation.
Virginia Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Virginia (2026)
Virginia allows minors aged 16 and older to petition the JDR district court for emancipation under Va. Code 16.1-331. Learn the two statutory grounds, petition steps, and rights granted under 16.1-334.
Virginia Embezzlement and Forgery Laws: Larceny Rules and Penalties
Virginia embezzlement is deemed larceny (18.2-111): a felony at $1,000 or more, up to 20 years. Public-funds embezzlement is a Class 4 felony at any amount.
Virginia Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026)
Virginia employee monitoring laws explained: the social media password law under Va. Code section 40.1-28.7:5, GPS and fleet tracking rules, and one-party consent recording.
Virginia Expungement Laws: § 19.2-392.2 and Virginia's New Sealing Law
Virginia expungement under § 19.2-392.2 clears non-conviction records. A major sealing law, including automatic sealing, has been in effect since July 1, 2026. Learn eligibility and how to file.
Virginia Felony Classes and Misdemeanor Penalties (2026)
Virginia sorts crimes into Class 1 to 6 felonies and Class 1 to 4 misdemeanors. See sentence ranges, fines, probation limits and repeat-offender rules.
Virginia Final Paycheck Laws: No Acceleration, and HB 238's New Cure Deadline
Virginia final wages are due on the next regular payday, no acceleration. See the criminal/civil penalties and HB 238's 14-day cure rule effective July 1, 2026.
Virginia Fireworks Laws (2026): Permissible Devices and Penalties
Virginia allows only defined "permissible fireworks" like fountains and wheels under Va. Code Ann. 27-95. Firecrackers and skyrockets require a display permit.
Virginia Freedom of Information Act: Who Can Request and How (2026)
Virginia FOIA is a state law, not federal FOIA. It opens records to citizens of the Commonwealth, sets a 5 working day deadline, and is enforced by mandamus.
Virginia GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Virginia? Hidden tracking is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Va. Code 18.2-60.5: up to 12 months and a $2,500 fine.
Virginia Grandparents' Rights: No Separate Visitation Statute, and an Actual-Harm Standard
Virginia has no dedicated grandparent visitation statute. One legitimate-interest law covers custody and visitation, requiring clear and convincing evidence.