Virginia Malicious Wounding of Pregnant Woman
September 24, 2018 by Jean Humbrecht
Aggravated Malicious Wounding in Virginia is causing a permanent and significant physical impairment by wounding another person with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or kill. Aggravated Malicious Wounding in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-51.2) is punished with up to life in prison. Maliciously wounding a pregnant woman is a specific form of Aggravated Malicious Wounding in Virginia. A Virginia Malicious Wounding of a pregnant woman charge is found in Va. Code §18.2-51.2(B).
For more information on Malicious Wounding in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Aggravated Malicious Wounding in Virginia, click here.
For more information on the difference between Malicious Wounding and Aggravated Malicious Wounding in Virginia, click here.
Proof of Virginia Malicious Wounding of A Pregnant Woman Charge
To convict an offender of a Virginia Malicious Wounding of a pregnant woman charge under Va. Code §18.2-51.2(B), the Commonwealth must prove that the offender:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding of a Pregnant Woman in Virginia is a Class 2 Felony
- maliciously
- shot, stabbed, cut, or wounded
- a pregnant woman
- with intent to maim, disable, disfigure, kill, or cause early termination of pregnancy
- and the victim is severely injured and suffers significant physical impairment
Penalty for Virginia Malicious Wounding of A Pregnant Woman Charge
Malicious Wounding of a pregnant woman in Virginia is a Class 2 felony. It is punished with 20 years up to life in prison and a fine up to $100,000.
Virginia Malicious Wounding of A Pregnant Woman: Statute
§18.2-51.2. Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty.
B. If any person maliciously shoots, stabs, cuts or wounds any other woman who is pregnant, or by any other means causes bodily injury, with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable or kill the pregnant woman or to cause the involuntary termination of her pregnancy, he shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony if the victim is thereby severely injured and is caused to suffer permanent and significant physical impairment.
C. For purposes of this section, the involuntary termination of a woman’s pregnancy shall be deemed a severe injury and a permanent and significant physical impairment.