18.2-460 — Obstruction of Justice
Court outcome data from 24,837 cases across 113 jurisdictions · 2023–2024
This page provides statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. For the current text of this statute, consult the Code of Virginia. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
According to 24,837 public court records from 2023–2024, cases related to 18.2-460 — Obstruction of Justice across 113 Virginia jurisdictions have an average dismissal rate of 55.9% and an average conviction rate of 41.4%.
About This Statute
Section 18.2-460 addresses obstructing justice or resisting law enforcement in Virginia. Obstruction without force or threat is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Obstruction involving force, threats, or an attempt to prevent a lawful arrest is a Class 5 felony. For the current statutory text, penalties, and legal elements, consult the Virginia Legislative Information System or a licensed Virginia attorney.
Court Outcome Statistics
Our analysis of cases categorized under this statute area across Virginia courts (2023–2024) shows:
Top Jurisdictions
Courts with the most cases related to this statute.
| Jurisdiction | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate | Median Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 2,881 | 71.3% | 27.9% | 3.8 months |
| Prince William County | 1,638 | 70.5% | 28.3% | 4.6 months |
| Virginia Beach | 1,366 | 43.6% | 52.9% | 3.7 months |
| Chesterfield County | 882 | 63.2% | 34.4% | 4.4 months |
| Newport News | 822 | 67.5% | 26.1% | 4.0 months |
| Stafford County | 784 | 62.6% | 33.0% | 3.7 months |
| Henrico County | 761 | 55.4% | 43.2% | 3.4 months |
| Norfolk | 753 | 55.1% | 38.4% | 3.4 months |
| Chesapeake | 600 | 60.9% | 36.4% | 4.1 months |
| Hampton | 561 | 51.9% | 40.5% | 4.1 months |
| Arlington County | 542 | 73.2% | 26.6% | 3.8 months |
| Richmond City | 487 | 66.7% | 27.3% | 3.1 months |
| Lynchburg | 470 | 41.0% | 54.6% | 3.1 months |
| Loudoun County | 448 | 70.8% | 26.5% | 4.5 months |
| Spotsylvania County | 444 | 52.5% | 47.5% | 3.2 months |
Source: Virginia public court records, 2023–2024 — VirginiaCourtFile.com
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Charged under this statute? An attorney can review what this means for your case — free, no obligation.