Virginia Domestic Violence Law
Virginia Domestic Violence Defense
What you're facing under 18.2-57.2, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Virginia (VA) domestic violence law.
Offense Class
Class 1 Misdemeanor (first/second); Class 6 Felony (third within 20 years)
Maximum Penalty
12 months (first/second); 5 years (third+)
Maximum Fine
$2,500
Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)
A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Virginia carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to Virginia state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.
Penalty Range in Virginia
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Virginia:
- Third or subsequent offense within 20 years (Class 6 Felony)
- Prior conviction for a violent felony against family member
- Strangulation (Class 6 Felony under § 18.2-51.6)
Virginia-Specific Detail
Family or household members include spouses, former spouses, parents, children, and persons who cohabit or formerly cohabited. Protective orders available under § 16.1-279.1.
Is your Virginia domestic violence case defense on track?
The free Defense Score checks 10 critical defense behaviors specific to domestic violence cases. Takes 2 minutes. Instant results.
Take the Free Defense ScoreDUI Defense Playbook — $127
26 questions that change how the next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download, relevant to Virginia defendants.
Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Virginia domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.