Virginia § 18.2-481 Treason defined; how proved and punished

Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-481 — Treason defined; how proved and punished

Virginia § 18.2-481

Title 18.2CRIMES AND OFFENSES GENERALLY

Ch. 11OFFENSES AGAINST THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Art. 1TREASON AND RELATED OFFENSES

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Bluebook

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-481 (2026).

Text

Treason shall consist only in:

(1)Levying war against the Commonwealth;

(2)Adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort;

(3)Establishing, without authority of the legislature, any government within its limits separate from the existing government;

(4)Holding or executing, in such usurped government, any office, or professing allegiance or fidelity to it; or

(5)Resisting the execution of the laws under color of its authority. Such treason, if proved by the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or by confession in court, shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony.

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Treason shall consist only in:

(1) Levying war against the Commonwealth;

(2) Adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort;

(3) Establishing, without authority of the legislature, any government within its limits separate from the existing government;

(4) Holding or executing, in such usurped government, any office, or professing allegiance or fidelity to it; or

(5) Resisting the execution of the laws under color of its authority.

Such treason, if proved by the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or by confession in court, shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony.