Crimes by Mobs

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This is Article 2 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Crimes by Mobs.” It is part of Chapter 4 “Crimes Against the Person”, which is part of Title 18.2 “Crimes and Offenses Generally”. It contains 10 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 10 sections.

§ 18.2-38 "Mob" defined
§ 18.2-39 "Lynching" defined
§ 18.2-40 Lynching deemed murder
§ 18.2-41 Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc., by mob
§ 18.2-42 Assault or battery by mob
§ 18.2-42.1 Acts of violence by mob
§ 18.2-43 Apprehension and prosecution of participants in lynching
§ 18.2-44 Civil liability for lynching
§ 18.2-45 Persons suffering death from mob attempting to lynch another person
§ 18.2-46 Venue