Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174 (2026)

Impersonating law-enforcement officer; penalties

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. Any person who falsely assumes or exercises the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or any local, city, county, state, or federal law-enforcement officer, or who, for the purpose of deceiving another, falsely assumes or pretends to be any such officer, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

B. Any person who commits a violation of subsection A while such person is wearing a facial covering is guilty of a Class 5 felony. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 4 felony. For the purposes of this subsection, "facial covering" means any opaque mask, garment, headgear, or other item or device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered to conceal the identity of the wearer, including a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, ski mask, or other similar face-shielding item or device.

C. Any person who commits a violation of subsection A while (i) committing or attempting to commit a violation of § 18.2-31, 18.2-32, 18.2-47, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.3, or 18.2-67.4 or (ii) circumventing, bypassing, or attempting to circumvent or bypass any security measure of any business, commercial building, residence, building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or building owned or leased by a locality or any agency thereof is guilty of a Class 6 felony. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

Code 1950, § 18.1-311; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2013, cc. 410, 431, 638; 2026, cc. 867, 875.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1998–2026 · leading case: United States v. Douglas Chappell, 691 F.3d 388 (4th Cir. 2012).

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United States v. Douglas Chappell, 691 F.3d 388 (4th Cir. 2012). · cites it 14× “Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-174 . Chappell was not punished under the clause forbidding individuals from "falsely assum[ing] or exercis[ing] the functions, powers, duties and privileges" of a law enforcement officer.”

Merch. v. Fairfax Cnty., Va., 778 F. Supp. 2d 636 (E.D. Va. 2011). · cites it 31× “This action grows out of plaintiffs arrest and prosecution for the misdemeanor offense of impersonating a police officer in violation of Va.Code § 18.2-174. When these state charges were dismissed, plaintiff brought this action against Fairfax County, the arresting officer and…”

English v. Commonwealth, 598 S.E.2d 322 (Va. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 6× “On appeal from his conviction of impersonating a law enforcement officer, in violation of Code § 18.2-174, Robert Keith English contends the evidence was insufficient to prove he falsely assumed or exercised the functions, powers, duties, or privileges incident to law…”

Blake Darvin Hughes, a/k/a Blake Darin Hughes v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 32× “BACKGROUND2 Hughes was indicted for impersonating a police officer, in violation of Code § 18.2-174; abduction, in violation of Code § 18.”

William Joseph Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 27× “William Joseph Morgan (“appellant”) was convicted in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court (the “trial court”) for falsely pretending to be a police officer in violation of Code § 18.2-174. His conviction was based on three primary facts: (1) he drove a police interceptor model Crown…”

Jamir Wallace, Sometimes Known as Jamir Hassan Wallace v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “]” Code § 18.2-174. A person falsely assumes to be in law enforcement if through his actions, attire, inquires, or statements he could lead a reasonable person to believe he is a law enforcement officer.”

United States v. Jackson (4th Cir. 1998). · cites it 4× “§ 13 (1994), assimilating Va. Code Ann.§ 18.2-174 (Michie 1996). Jackson alleges that there was insufficient evidence to support the court's finding of guilt.”

Michael Jasper Council v. CW & City of Lynchburg (Va. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “Upon being confronted in the apartment, Council identified himself as a police officer, in violation of Code § 18.2-174. This deliberate act is direct evidence of a criminal intent for - 5 - breaking into the home of people he did not know to impersonate a police officer if…”

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