Unlawful Wounding in Virginia

September 22, 2016 by Jean Humbrecht

Unlawful Wounding in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-51) is the intentional, provoked wounding of another person with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable or kill.

Proof of Unlawful Wounding in Virginia

To convict someone of Unlawful Wounding in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-51, the Commonwealth must prove that the offender unlawfully shot, stabbed, cut, or wounded another person with the intent to maim, disable, disfigure or kill.

Unlawful: Unlawfully means intentionally committing a wrongful act without justification or excuse.

Shoot, Stab Cut, Wound: An offender commits Unlawful Wounding in Virginia by either shooting, stabbing, cutting, or wounding (causing a breaking of the skin by any weapon).

unlawful wounding in Virginia

Unlawful Wounding in Virginia Can be Caused by Shooting

Intent to Maim, Disable, Disfigure, or Kill: Unlawful Wounding in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-51 is committed by unlawfully committing one of the above acts with the intent to cause a permanent condition by maiming, disabling, disfiguring or killing.  The offender does not need to actually cause a permanent condition (actual maiming, disabling, disfiguring, or killing) to be convicted of this offense.

Another Person: An offender can be convicted of Unlawful Wounding in Virginia if any person is injured as a result of his conduct, whether or not that person was the target, as long as the offender acted with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or kill.

Penalty for Unlawful Wounding in Virginia

Unlawful Wounding in Virginia is a Class 6 felony, punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

Unlawful Wounding in Virginia Statute

§18.2-51. Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc.

If any person maliciously shoot, stab, cut, or wound any person or by any means cause him bodily injury, with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill, he shall, except where it is otherwise provided, be guilty of a Class 3 felony. If such act be done unlawfully but not maliciously, with the intent aforesaid, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. 

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