Virginia law § 18.2-126 criminalizes the unlawful disinterment and physical defilement of dead human bodies, with penalties ranging from Class 6 to Class 4 felonies. Disinterment is a more serious offense than defilement, which is limited to willful physical acts. The law also clarifies lawful autopsies and organ recoveries are not violations.
Unlawful disinterment occurs when a person displaces or unearths a dead human body or its parts from a burial site without lawful authority, which is a Class 4 felony.
Yes, willfully and intentionally physically defiling a dead human body is a Class 6 felony under Virginia law, unless it involves lawful autopsies or organ recoveries.
Disinterment is a Class 4 felony, and defilement is a Class 6 felony, with penalties including potential imprisonment and fines depending on the severity.
No, lawful autopsies and organ recoveries for transplantation are explicitly excluded from the definition of defilement under Virginia law.