VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1998 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

988350304
HOUSE BILL NO. 380 Offered January 15, 1998 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-92.1, relating to use of force against intruder. ---------- Patron-- Joannou ---------- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-92.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-92.1. Use of deadly physical force against an intruder; immunity.

Any occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including deadly physical force, against another person when that other person has unlawfully entered the dwelling and the occupant has a reasonable belief that the other person (i) has committed a crime in the dwelling in addition to the unlawful entry or is committing or intends to commit a crime against a person or property in addition to the unlawful entry and (ii) might use any physical force, no matter how slight, against the occupant.

Any occupant of a dwelling using physical force, including deadly physical force, as provided in this section shall be immune from criminal prosecution for the use of such force and from civil liability for injuries or death resulting from the use of such force.