Mail Theft Penalties in Virginia

Mail theft in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-110.1) is a felony and can have severe consequences. For information on Mail Theft penalties in Virginia, read the post below.

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 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 in Virginia 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.

 

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