Ley sobre la distribución de cigarrillos falsificados en Virginia

Explicación Simple

Esta ley prohíbe vender o tener cigarrillos falsos. Si te atrapan haciéndolo, puedes enfrentarte a multas o incluso a la cárcel, dependiendo de cuánto tengas y si es la primera vez o no.

Es como cuando un niño intenta vender dulces falsos en la escuela; si lo atrapan, puede recibir una reprimenda o incluso ser castigado si lo hace repetidamente.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan tiene una tienda de conveniencia y comienza a vender cigarrillos que no son reales. La policía lo atrapa con cinco cajas de estos cigarrillos. Como es la primera vez, podría enfrentar una multa, pero si lo vuelve a hacer, las consecuencias serán mucho más graves.

Penalidades

Las multas varían desde $1,000 hasta $50,000, dependiendo de la cantidad y si es la primera infracción.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

995 ; 2009, c. 847 ; 2013, c. 625 . Va. Code § 18.2-246.14 - Counterfeit cigarettes; penalty; civil penalty. A. It is unlawful to distribute or possess counterfeit cigarettes. B. Any person who knowingly distributes or possesses with the intent to distribute a total quantity of less than 10 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent offense involving a total quantity of less than 10 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes is guilty of a Class 6 felony, provided that the accused was at liberty as defined in § 53.1-151 between each conviction, and it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom the person is tried, that the accused was previously convicted of a violation of this subsection. Any person who knowingly distributes or possesses with the intent to distribute a total quantity of 10 or more cartons of counterfeit cigarettes is guilty of a Class 6 felony. C. Any person who knowingly violates subsection A with a total quantity of less than two cartons of cigarettes shall be punished by a civil penalty of no more than $1,000. Any person who knowingly violates subsection A shall, for a second or subsequent offense involving a total quantity of less than two cartons of cigarettes, be punished by a civil penalty of no more than $5,000 and, if applicable, the revocation by the Department of Taxation of his wholesale dealer license. D. Any person who knowingly violates subsection A with a total quantity of two or more cartons of cigarettes shall be punished by a civil penalty of no more than $2,000. Any person who knowingly violates subsection A shall, for a second or subsequent offense involving a total quantity of two or more cartons of cigarettes, be punished by a civil penalty of n