§ 18.2-456(a)(5) — Contempt of Court
Court outcome data from 4,370 cases across 113 jurisdictions · 2025
Of 4,370 cases filed in 2025 under § 18.2-456(a)(5), 3,465 reached an outcome — 64.8% were dismissed or dropped and 32.8% resulted in conviction, across 113 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.
Of 4,370 § 18.2-456(a)(5) cases filed in 2025 across 113 Virginia jurisdictions, 3,465 reached an outcome — an average dismissal rate of 64.8% and an average conviction rate of 32.8%.
Court Outcomes Across Virginia
Across 113 Virginia jurisdictions (2025):
Top Jurisdictions
Courts with the most cases related to this statute.
| Jurisdiction | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate | Median Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrico County | 721 | 43.7% | 56.3% | 2.5 months |
| Richmond City | 272 | 70.8% | 29.2% | 2.4 months |
| Hampton | 235 | 85.2% | 14.8% | 2.6 months |
| Hanover County | 196 | 29.7% | 70.3% | 2.0 months |
| Rockingham County | 155 | 52.7% | 47.3% | 1.9 months |
| Augusta County | 133 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 3.2 months |
| Wise County | 127 | 91.7% | 8.3% | 3.0 months |
| Lynchburg | 114 | 91.8% | 8.2% | 27 days |
| Virginia Beach | 110 | 70.0% | 30.0% | 2.3 months |
| Roanoke County | 106 | 83.3% | 16.7% | 1.4 months |
| Chesterfield County | 103 | 73.7% | 26.3% | 2.7 months |
| Arlington County | 102 | 88.9% | 11.1% | 2.5 months |
| Fairfax County | 96 | 80.0% | 20.0% | 3.9 months |
| Waynesboro | 95 | 67.9% | 32.1% | 3.7 months |
| Newport News | 85 | 78.3% | 21.7% | 2.8 months |
Source: Virginia public court records, 2025 — VirginiaCourtFile.com
Explore Full Data
Common Questions
What's Next
Charged under this statute? An attorney can review what this means for your case — free, no obligation.