{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-164.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-164.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-164.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-164.html"}],"law_id":350375,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350375,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-164","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, telephone and telegraph lines; copying or obstructing messages; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-156; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2002, cc. 810, 818; 2006, c. 457.","full_text":"A\n\nIf any person commits any of the following acts, he is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor:\n\n1\n\nMaliciously injure, molest, cut down, or destroy any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, pole, tower, or the material or property belonging thereto;\n\n2\n\nMaliciously cut, break, tap, or make any connection with any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or instrument of any telegraph or telephone company which has legally acquired the right-of-way by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise;\n\n3\n\nMaliciously copy in any unauthorized manner any message, either social, business, or otherwise, passing over any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless telephone transmission in the Commonwealth;\n\n4\n\nWillfully or maliciously prevent, obstruct, or delay by any means or contrivance whatsoever the sending, conveyance, or delivery in the Commonwealth of any authorized communication by or through any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless transmission device under the control of any telephone or telegraph company doing business in the Commonwealth;\n\n5\n\nMaliciously aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any unauthorized person or persons unlawfully to do or cause to be done any of the acts hereinbefore mentioned.\n\nB\n\nIf any person, with the intent to prevent another person from summoning law-enforcement, fire, or rescue services:\n\n1\n\nCommits any act set forth in subsection A; or\n\n2\n\nMaliciously prevents or interferes with telephone or telegraph communication by disabling or destroying any device that enables such communication, whether wired or wireless, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1305427,"text":"If any person commits any of the following acts, he is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1305428,"text":"Maliciously injure, molest, cut down, or destroy any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, pole, tower, or the material or property belonging thereto;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1305429,"text":"Maliciously cut, break, tap, or make any connection with any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or instrument of any telegraph or telephone company which has legally acquired the right-of-way by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1305430,"text":"Maliciously copy in any unauthorized manner any message, either social, business, or otherwise, passing over any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless telephone transmission in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":1305431,"text":"Willfully or maliciously prevent, obstruct, or delay by any means or contrivance whatsoever the sending, conveyance, or delivery in the Commonwealth of any authorized communication by or through any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless transmission device under the control of any telephone or telegraph company doing business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":1305432,"text":"Maliciously aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any unauthorized person or persons unlawfully to do or cause to be done any of the acts hereinbefore mentioned.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":1305433,"text":"If any person, with the intent to prevent another person from summoning law-enforcement, fire, or rescue services:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B1"},"7":{"id":1305434,"text":"Commits any act set forth in subsection A; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"8":{"id":1305435,"text":"Maliciously prevents or interferes with telephone or telegraph communication by disabling or destroying any device that enables such communication, whether wired or wireless, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50143,"edition_id":2,"name":"Offenses Relating to Railroads and Other Utilities","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":10,"parent_id":50135,"metadata":{"child_laws":22,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:15","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:19","permalink":{"id":1392845,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50143,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/5\/8","url":"\/18.2\/5\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50135,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Against Property","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":153,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:17","permalink":{"id":1392301,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50135,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/5","url":"\/18.2\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350359,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-153","catch_line":"Obstructing or injuring canal, railroad, power line, etc","url":"\/18.2-153\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-153","metadata":false},{"id":350360,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-154","catch_line":"Shooting at or throwing missiles, etc., at train, car, vessel, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-154\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-154","metadata":false},{"id":350361,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-155","catch_line":"Injuring, etc., signal used by railroad","url":"\/18.2-155\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-155","metadata":false},{"id":350362,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-156","catch_line":"Taking or removing waste or packing from journal boxes","url":"\/18.2-156\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-156","metadata":false},{"id":350363,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-157","catch_line":"Injury to fences or cattle stops along line of railroad","url":"\/18.2-157\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-157","metadata":false},{"id":350364,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-158","catch_line":"Driving, etc., animal on track to recover damages","url":"\/18.2-158\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-158","metadata":false},{"id":350365,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-159","catch_line":"Trespassing on railroad track","url":"\/18.2-159\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-159","metadata":false},{"id":350370,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-160","catch_line":"Trespassing on railroad trains","url":"\/18.2-160\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160","metadata":false},{"id":350367,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-160.1","catch_line":"Boarding or riding transportation district train without lawful payment of fare; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":350368,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-160.2","catch_line":"Trespassing on public transportation; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.2","metadata":false},{"id":350369,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-160.3","catch_line":"Fare enforcement inspectors; failure to produce proof of payment of fare; penalty","url":"\/18.2-160.3\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-160.3","metadata":false},{"id":350371,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-161","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-161\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-161","metadata":false},{"id":350373,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-162","catch_line":"Damage or trespass to public services or utilities","url":"\/18.2-162\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162","metadata":false},{"id":350372,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-162.1","catch_line":"Diverting wastewater line; diverting or wasting public water supply","url":"\/18.2-162.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-162.1","metadata":false},{"id":350374,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-163","catch_line":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","url":"\/18.2-163\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-163","metadata":false},{"id":350375,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-164","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, telephone and telegraph lines; copying or obstructing messages; penalty","url":"\/18.2-164\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-164","metadata":false},{"id":350378,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-165","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, television or radio signals and equipment","url":"\/18.2-165\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165","metadata":false},{"id":350376,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-165.1","catch_line":"Tampering with or unlawful use of cable television service","url":"\/18.2-165.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165.1","metadata":false},{"id":350377,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-165.2","catch_line":"Unlawful interference with emergency two-way radio communications; penalty","url":"\/18.2-165.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165.2","metadata":false},{"id":350379,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-166","catch_line":"Disclosing or inducing disclosure of certain information concerning customers of telephone companies","url":"\/18.2-166\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-166","metadata":false},{"id":350381,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-167","catch_line":"Selling or transferring certain telephonic instruments","url":"\/18.2-167\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-167","metadata":false},{"id":350380,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-167.1","catch_line":"Interception or monitoring of customer telephone calls; penalty","url":"\/18.2-167.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-167.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350374,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-163","catch_line":"Tampering with metering device; diverting service; civil liability","url":"\/18.2-163\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-163","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":350378,"structure_id":50143,"section_number":"18.2-165","catch_line":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, television or radio signals and equipment","url":"\/18.2-165\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-165","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-164\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 2002, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0810\">810<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0818\">818<\/a>; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0457\">457<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1392907,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350375,"identifier":"18.2-164","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-164","url":"\/18.2-164\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-164\/","token":"18.2\/5\/8\/18.2-164","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unlawful use of, or injury to, telephone and telegraph lines; copying or obstructing messages; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-164","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> If any person commits any of the following acts, he is guilty of a Class 2 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>: <a id=\"paragraph-1305427\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Maliciously injure, molest, cut down, or destroy any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, pole, tower, or the <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span> or property belonging thereto; <a id=\"paragraph-1305428\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Maliciously cut, break, tap, or make any connection with any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or instrument of any telegraph or telephone company which has legally acquired the right-of-way by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise; <a id=\"paragraph-1305429\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Maliciously copy in any unauthorized manner any message, either social, business, or otherwise, passing over any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless telephone transmission in the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-1305430\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Willfully or maliciously prevent, obstruct, or delay by any means or contrivance whatsoever the sending, conveyance, or delivery in the Commonwealth of any authorized communication by or through any telephone or telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless transmission device under the control of any telephone or telegraph company doing business in the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-1305431\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Maliciously aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any unauthorized person or persons unlawfully to do or cause to be done any of the acts hereinbefore mentioned. <a id=\"paragraph-1305432\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#A5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> If any person, with the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to prevent another person from summoning <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement, fire, or rescue services: <a id=\"paragraph-1305433\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Commits any act set forth in subsection A; or <a id=\"paragraph-1305434\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Maliciously prevents or interferes with telephone or telegraph communication by disabling or destroying any device that enables such communication, whether wired or wireless, he is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1305435\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-164\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNLAWFUL USE OF, OR INJURY TO, TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH LINES; COPYING OR\nOBSTRUCTING MESSAGES; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-164)\n\nA. If any person commits any of the following acts, he is guilty of a Class 2\nmisdemeanor:\n\n   1. Maliciously injure, molest, cut down, or destroy any telephone or telegraph\n   line, wire, cable, pole, tower, or the material or property belonging thereto;\n\n   2. Maliciously cut, break, tap, or make any connection with any telephone or\n   telegraph line, wire, cable, or instrument of any telegraph or telephone\n   company which has legally acquired the right-of-way by purchase, condemnation,\n   or otherwise;\n\n   3. Maliciously copy in any unauthorized manner any message, either social,\n   business, or otherwise, passing over any telephone or telegraph line, wire,\n   cable, or wireless telephone transmission in the Commonwealth;\n\n   4. Willfully or maliciously prevent, obstruct, or delay by any means or\n   contrivance whatsoever the sending, conveyance, or delivery in the\n   Commonwealth of any authorized communication by or through any telephone or\n   telegraph line, wire, cable, or wireless transmission device under the control\n   of any telephone or telegraph company doing business in the Commonwealth;\n\n   5. Maliciously aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any unauthorized\n   person or persons unlawfully to do or cause to be done any of the acts\n   hereinbefore mentioned.\n\nB. If any person, with the intent to prevent another person from summoning\nlaw-enforcement, fire, or rescue services:\n\n   1. Commits any act set forth in subsection A; or\n\n   2. Maliciously prevents or interferes with telephone or telegraph\n   communication by disabling or destroying any device that enables such\n   communication, whether wired or wireless, he is guilty of a Class 1\n   misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-156; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2002, cc. 810,\n818; 2006, c. 457.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}