CODE OF VIRGINIA

ESCAPE WITHOUT FORCE OR VIOLENCE OR SETTING FIRE TO JAIL (§ 18.2-479)

A. Except as provided in subsection B, any person lawfully confined in jail or
lawfully in the custody of any court, officer of the court, or of any
law-enforcement officer for violation of his probation or parole or on a charge
or conviction of a misdemeanor, who escapes, other than by force or violence or
by setting fire to the jail, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. Any person, lawfully confined in jail or lawfully in the custody of any
court, officer of the court, or of any law-enforcement officer on a charge or
conviction of a felony, who escapes, other than by force or violence or by
setting fire to the jail, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 18.1-290; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1985, c. 555;
2005, c. 573.