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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>350395</law_id><section_number>18.2-177.1</section_number><catch_line>False representation of military status; 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="6" identifier="6">Crimes Involving Fraud</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="2" identifier="2">Impersonation</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any person, with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to obtain any services, to falsely represent himself to be a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserves, or National Guard by wearing the uniform or any medal or insignia authorized for use by the members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserves, or National Guard by federal or state <span class="dictionary">law</span> or regulation and obtain any services through such false representation. <a id="paragraph-1305469" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-177.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> It is unlawful for any person, with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to obtain any services, to falsely represent himself as a recipient of any decoration or medal created by federal or state <span class="dictionary">law</span> or regulation to honor the members or veterans of the United States Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserves, or National Guard and obtain any services through such false representation. <a id="paragraph-1305470" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-177.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A violation of this section is a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-1305471" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-177.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The provisions of this section shall not preclude <span class="dictionary">prosecution</span> under any other <span class="dictionary">statute</span>. <a id="paragraph-1305472" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-177.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2016, c. 236.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
