§ 16.1-253.2 — Protective Order Violation
Court outcome data from 900 cases across 97 jurisdictions · 2025
Of 900 cases filed in 2025 under § 16.1-253.2, 681 reached an outcome — 44.9% were dismissed or dropped and 51.2% resulted in conviction, across 97 Virginia jurisdictions.
This page provides statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
Penalties Under § 16.1-253.2
Section 16.1-253.2 addresses violation of a protective order issued by a Virginia court. A first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second conviction within 5 years involving an act or threat of violence carries a 60-day mandatory minimum, and a third within 20 years is a Class 6 felony. Violations involving assault with injury, entering the protected person's home, or a deadly weapon are also Class 6 felonies.
Of 900 § 16.1-253.2 cases filed in 2025 across 97 Virginia jurisdictions, 681 reached an outcome — an average dismissal rate of 44.9% and an average conviction rate of 51.2%.
Court Outcomes Across Virginia
Across 97 Virginia jurisdictions (2025):
Top Jurisdictions
Courts with the most cases related to this statute.
| Jurisdiction | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate | Median Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 43 | 69.2% | 30.8% | 1.4 months |
| Orange County | 31 | 65.0% | 35.0% | 6.4 months |
| Norfolk | 28 | 40.0% | 60.0% | 4.8 months |
| Chesterfield County | 28 | 18.2% | 81.8% | 3.1 months |
| Prince William County | 25 | 60.0% | 40.0% | 4.2 months |
| Montgomery County | 25 | 81.0% | 19.0% | 2.8 months |
| Spotsylvania County | 24 | 55.0% | 45.0% | 3.2 months |
| Stafford County | 23 | 73.7% | 26.3% | 1.3 months |
| Roanoke County | 22 | 26.3% | 73.7% | 2.7 months |
| Lynchburg | 22 | 33.3% | 66.7% | 3.0 months |
| Bristol | 22 | 5.0% | 95.0% | 2.3 months |
| Halifax County | 21 | 36.8% | 63.2% | 1.0 months |
| Richmond City | 20 | 69.2% | 30.8% | 5.4 months |
| Alleghany County | 20 | 57.9% | 42.1% | 4.0 months |
| Washington County | 19 | 35.3% | 64.7% | 2.4 months |
Source: Virginia public court records, 2025 — VirginiaCourtFile.com
Common Questions
What's Next
Charged under this statute? An attorney can review what this means for your case — free, no obligation.