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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>350375</law_id><section_number>18.2-164</section_number><catch_line>Unlawful use of, or injury to, telephone and telegraph lines; copying or obstructing messages; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="52" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="5" identifier="5">Crimes Against Property</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="10" identifier="8">Offenses Relating to Railroads and Other Utilities</unit></structure><text>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section>
						<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"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 18.1-156; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2002, cc. 810, 818; 2006, c. 457.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
