{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-55.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-55.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-55.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-55.1.html"}],"law_id":351111,"edition_id":2,"section_id":351111,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","history":"2004, c. 850; 2005, c. 843.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful to cause bodily injury by hazing (i) any member of a criminal street gang as defined in \u00a7 18.2-46.1, or (ii) a person seeking to become a member of a youth gang or criminal street gang. Any person found guilty of hazing is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nFor the purposes of this section, &#8220;hazing&#8221; means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a person or to inflict bodily injury on a person in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a youth gang or criminal street gang regardless of whether the person so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307622,"text":"It shall be unlawful to cause bodily injury by hazing (i) any member of a criminal street gang as defined in \u00a7 18.2-46.1, or (ii) a person seeking to become a member of a youth gang or criminal street gang. Any person found guilty of hazing is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1307623,"text":"For the purposes of this section, &#8220;hazing&#8221; means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a person or to inflict bodily injury on a person in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a youth gang or criminal street gang regardless of whether the person so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50217,"edition_id":2,"name":"Assaults and Bodily Woundings","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":6,"parent_id":50171,"metadata":{"child_laws":29,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:43","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:17","permalink":{"id":1391965,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50217,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50171,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":128,"child_structures":11},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:16","permalink":{"id":1391765,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50171,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","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":351093,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51","catch_line":"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc","url":"\/18.2-51\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51","metadata":false},{"id":351086,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.1","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel; penalty; lesser-included offense","url":"\/18.2-51.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.1","metadata":false},{"id":351087,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.2","catch_line":"Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.2","metadata":false},{"id":351088,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.3","catch_line":"Prohibition against reckless endangerment of others by throwing objects from places higher than one story; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.3","metadata":false},{"id":351089,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.4","catch_line":"Maiming, etc., of another resulting from driving while intoxicated","url":"\/18.2-51.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.4","metadata":false},{"id":351090,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.5","catch_line":"Maiming, etc., of another resulting from operating a watercraft while intoxicated; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.5","metadata":false},{"id":351091,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.6","catch_line":"Strangulation or suffocation of another; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.6\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.6","metadata":false},{"id":351092,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-51.7","catch_line":"Female genital mutilation; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.7\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.7","metadata":false},{"id":351105,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-52","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire","url":"\/18.2-52\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52","metadata":false},{"id":351103,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-52.1","catch_line":"Possession of infectious biological substances or radiological agents; penalties","url":"\/18.2-52.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.1","metadata":false},{"id":351104,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-52.2","catch_line":"Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty","url":"\/18.2-52.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Floyd v. Commonwealth","case_number":"2427981","citation":"522 S.E.2d 382","date":"1999-12-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1066030\/floyd-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 522 S.E.2d 382 (1999) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351107,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-53","catch_line":"Shooting, etc., in committing or attempting a felony","url":"\/18.2-53\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53","metadata":false},{"id":351106,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-53.1","catch_line":"Use or display of firearm in committing felony","url":"\/18.2-53.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53.1","metadata":false},{"id":351110,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-54","catch_line":"Conviction of lesser offenses under certain indictments","url":"\/18.2-54\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54","metadata":false},{"id":351108,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-54.1","catch_line":"Attempts to poison","url":"\/18.2-54.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.1","metadata":false},{"id":351109,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-54.2","catch_line":"Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-54.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.2","metadata":false},{"id":351112,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-55","catch_line":"Bodily injuries caused by prisoners, state juvenile probationers and state and local adult probationers or adult parolees","url":"\/18.2-55\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55","metadata":false},{"id":351111,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":351115,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},{"id":351113,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","metadata":false},{"id":351114,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-56.2","catch_line":"Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.2","metadata":false},{"id":351123,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57","catch_line":"Assault and battery; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57","metadata":false},{"id":351116,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.01","catch_line":"Pointing laser at law-enforcement officer unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.01\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.01","metadata":false},{"id":351117,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.02","catch_line":"Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.02\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.02","metadata":false},{"id":351118,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-57.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.1","metadata":false},{"id":351119,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.2","catch_line":"Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.2","metadata":false},{"id":351120,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.3","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member may be placed on local community-based probation; conditions; education and treatment programs; costs and fees; violations; discharge","url":"\/18.2-57.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.3","metadata":false},{"id":351121,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.4","catch_line":"Reporting findings of assault and battery to military family advocacy representatives","url":"\/18.2-57.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.4","metadata":false},{"id":351122,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-57.5","catch_line":"Certain matters not to constitute defenses","url":"\/18.2-57.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":351112,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-55","catch_line":"Bodily injuries caused by prisoners, state juvenile probationers and state and local adult probationers or adult parolees","url":"\/18.2-55\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":351115,"structure_id":50217,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-55.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0850\">850<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0843\">843<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":351833,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"},{"id":367408,"section_number":"52-28.1","catch_line":"Reporting of gang-related criminal information; inclusion in annual Crime in Virginia report","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-28.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":350988,"section_number":"18.2-46.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1392035,"object_type":"law","relational_id":351111,"identifier":"18.2-55.1","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-55.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>It shall be unlawful to cause bodily injury by <span class=\"dictionary\">hazing<\/span> (i) any member of a criminal street gang as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/18.2-46.1\/\">18.2-46.1<\/a>, or (ii) a person seeking to become a member of a youth gang or criminal street gang. Any person found guilty of <span class=\"dictionary\">hazing<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p><p>For the purposes of this section, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">hazing<\/span>&#8221; means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a person or to inflict bodily injury on a person in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a youth gang or criminal street gang regardless of whether the person so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHAZING OF YOUTH GANG MEMBERS UNLAWFUL; CRIMINAL LIABILITY (\u00a7 18.2-55.1)\n\nIt shall be unlawful to cause bodily injury by hazing (i) any member of a\ncriminal street gang as defined in \u00a7 18.2-46.1, or (ii) a person seeking to\nbecome a member of a youth gang or criminal street gang. Any person found guilty\nof hazing is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nFor the purposes of this section, &#8220;hazing&#8221; means to recklessly or\nintentionally endanger the health or safety of a person or to inflict bodily\ninjury on a person in connection with or for the purpose of initiation,\nadmission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in\na youth gang or criminal street gang regardless of whether the person so\nendangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 850; 2005, c. 843.","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"}}