Mail Theft
What is Mail Theft in Virginia?
Mail Theft in Virginia can be proven in a number of ways. The Commonwealth can prove an offender committed Mail Theft in Virginia by showing that an offender:
- knowingly, willfully, and with the intent to deprive, injure, damage, or defraud another
- took, destroyed, hid, or embezzled mail
or
- knowingly, willfully, and with the intent to deprive, injure, damage, or defraud another
- obtained any mail by fraud or deception
Mail Theft in Virginia is a Felony
Mail Theft can also be proven by showing that an offender:
- bought, received, concealed, or possessed
- mail, and
- knew or reasonably should have known that the mail was unlawfully taken or obtained
- bought, received, concealed, or possessed
- any key he knew or reasonably should have known was suited to any lock adopted by the United States Postal Service that provides access to any mail receptacle located in a cluster mailbox unit or other mailbox panel used for the purpose of centralized mail in any neighborhood, including any condominium or apartment complex;
or
- bought, received, concealed, or possessed
- a counterfeit device or key designed to provide access to any lock described above;
Mail Theft can also be proven by showing that an offender:
- knowingly, willfully, and with the intent to steal any mail inside
- damages, opens, removes, injures, vandalizes, or destroys any mail receptacle
Mail Theft Penalties in Virginia
Mail Theft in Virginia is a Class 6 felony. It is punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.
Felony convictions in Virginia also result in the loss of certain civil rights including the right to vote, hold public office, serve on a jury, become a notary public, and possess a firearm. A felony conviction in Virginia can also result in the loss of public benefits, housing, and employment opportunities, just to name a few.
Most importantly, a felony conviction will remain on an offender’s permanent criminal record and can never be expunged.