VIRGINIA-SPECIFIC ONLINE TRAINING COURSE

This document includes hyperlinks to the full-text versions of every self-defense statute (8), jury instruction (19), and
court case (49) referenced in the Law of Self Defense Live Seminar: Virginia or the Law of Self Defense Online
Training: Virginia.
This document is frequently updated, with the version noted in the footer. Click here for the most current version. If
you are aware of additional statutes, jury instructions, or court cases that you believe should be included on this list, let
us know and we will consider them for the next update.
This document obviously does not constitute legal advice. To facilitate your understanding of how the law may
apply in the real world we encourage you to inform yourself on the law, including through our book, The Law of Self
Defense, 2nd Ed., our live seminars, our online training, and/or by consulting with competent legal counsel in your
jurisdiction.
This is a copyrighted work product, and may not be copied in any manner.
For more information, visit: www.lawofselfdefense.com

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STATUTES: Code of Virginia (CoV, 2015)

Title 18.2 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES GENERALLY.
Chapter 4 - Crimes Against the Person
18.2-32.

First and second degree murder defined; punishment.

18.2-51.

Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc.

18.2-51.2. Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty.

18.2-53.

Shooting, etc., in committing or attempting a felony.

18.2-53.1. Use or display of firearm in committing felony.

18.2-56.1.

Reckless handling of firearms

Title 18.2 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES GENERALLY.

Chapter 7 - Crimes Involving Health and Safety
18.2-282.

Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object

similar in appearance; penalty

Title 19.2 - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.

Chapter 16 - Evidence and Witnesses
19.2-270.6. Evidence of abuse admissible in certain criminal trials

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JURY INSTRUCTIONS: Virginia Model Jury Instructions (2013)

2.050

Preliminary Instructions to Jury

2.100

Reasonable Doubt and Presumption of Innocence

2.300

Flight from Scene or Use of False Name to Avoid Prosecution, Detection,

Apprehension or Arrest

7.150

Dwelling House--Definition

12.620

Dwelling House--Definition

18.850

Deadly Weapon--Definition

33.610

Criminal Negligence--Definition

33.800

Self-Defense--Defendant Without Fault

33.810

Self-Defense--Defendant With Fault--Retreat to Wall

33.850

Accidental Killing

33.910

Transferred Intent--Self-Defense

33.950

Intent--Intoxication Defense

37.351

Assault--Effect of Words

37.352

Assault--Effect of Words

52.520

Right to Arm

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JURY INSTRUCTIONS: Virginia Model Jury Instructions (2013)

52.500 Self-Defense--Defendant Without Fault
52.510 Self-Defense--Defendant With Fault--Retreat to Wall
53.200

Intoxication--Voluntary

54.600

Class 6 Felony

COURT DECISIONS: State appellate and supreme courts

Adams v. Commonwealth, 178 S.E. 29 (VA Supreme Court 1935)
Anderson v. Commonwealth, 42 S.E. 865 (VA Supreme Court 1902)
Avent v. Commonwealth, 688 S.E.2d 244 (VA Supreme Court 2010)
Bailey v. Commonwealth, 104 S.E.2d 28 (VA Supreme Court 1958)
Bell v. Commonwealth, 341 S.E.2d 654 (VA Ct. App. 1986)
Brooks v. Commonwealth, 2012 Va. App. LEXIS 397 (VA Ct. App. 2012)
Buchanan v. Commonwealth, 2015 Va. App. LEXIS 153 (VA Ct. App. 2015)
Cary v. Commonwealth, 2004 Va. App. LEXIS 623 (VA Ct. App. 2004)
Commonwealth v. Alexander, 531 S.E.2d 567 (VA Supreme Court 2000)
Commonwealth v. Carper, 11 Va. Cir. 181 (VA Circuit Court 1988)
Commonwealth v. Sands, 553 S.E. 2d 733 (VA Supreme Court 2001)
Connell v. Commonwealth, 542 S.E.2d 49 (VA Ct. App. 2001)

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COURT DECISIONS (continued)

Cook v. Commonwealth, 2011 Va. App. Lexis 409 (VA Ct. App. 2011)
Cook v. Commonwealth, 250 S.E.2d 361 (VA Supreme Court 1979)
Cox v. Commonwealth, 44 S.E.2d 363 (VA Supreme Court 1947)
Davis v. Commonwealth, 2007 Va. App. LEXIS 5 (VA Ct. App. 2007)
Dickerson v. Commonwealth, 45 S.E.2d 243 (VA Supreme Court 1947)
Diffendal v. Commonwealth, 382 S.E.2d 24 (VA Ct. App. 1989)
Dodson v. Commonwealth, 167 S.E. 260 (VA Supreme Court 1933)
Flowers v. Commonwealth, 2011 Va. App. LEXIS 310 (VA Ct. App. 2011)
Fortune v. Commonwealth, 112 S.E. 861 (VA Supreme Court 1922)
Foster v. Commonwealth, 412 S.E.2d 198 (VA Ct. App. 1991)
Garrard v. Commonwealth, 2010 Va. App. LEXIS 376 (VA Ct. App. 2010)
Harris v. Commonwealth, 2001 Va. App. LEXIS 18 (VA Ct. App. 2001)
Hughes v. Commonwealth, 573 S.E.2d 324 (VA Ct. App. 2002)
Jones v. Commonwealth, 45 S.E.2d 908 (VA Supreme Court 1948)
Law v. Commonwealth, 2001 Va. App. LEXIS 583 (VA Ct. App. 2001)
Lynn v. Commonwealth, 499 S.E.2d 1 (VA Ct. App. 1998)
McClung v. Commonwealth, 212 S.E.2d 290 (VA Supreme Court 1975)

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COURT DECISIONS (continued)

McGhee v. Commonwealth, 248 S.E.2d 808 (VA Supreme Court 1978)
Peeples v. Commonwealth, 519 S.E.2d 382, 383 (VA Ct. App. 1999)
Perkins v. Commonwealth, 44 S.E.2d 426 (VA Supreme Court 1947)
Reid v. Commonwealth, 1994 Va. App. LEXIS 370 (VA Ct. App. 1994)
Rhodes v. Commonwealth, 583 S.E.2d 773 (VA Ct. App. 2003)
Roark v. Commonwealth, 28 S.E.2d 693 (VA Supreme Court 1944)
Rollison v. Commonwealth, 2007 Va. App. LEXIS 61 (VA Ct. App. 2007)
Scott v. Commonwealth, 129 S.E. 360 (VA Supreme Court 1925)
Smith v. Commonwealth, 182 S.E. 124 (VA Supreme Court 1935)
Smith v. Commonwealth, 2013 Va. App. LEXIS 29 (VA Ct. App. 2013)
Smith v. Commonwealth, 435 S.E.2d 414 (VA Ct. App. 1993)
Sollars v. Commonwealth,1996 Va. App. LEXIS 632 (VA Ct. App. 1996)
Strawderman v. Commonwealth, 108 S.E.2d 376 (VA Supreme Court 1959)
Tart v. Commonwealth, 663 S.E.2d 113 (VA Ct. App. 2008)
Terry v. Commonwealth, 2008 Va. App. LEXIS 386 (VA Ct. App. 2008)
Thomason v. Commonwealth, 17 S.E.2d 374 (VA Supreme Court 1941)
Vaiden v. Commonwealth, 53 Va. 717 (VA Supreme Court 1855)

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COURT DECISIONS (continued)

Vlastaris v. Commonwealth, 178 S.E. 775 (VA Supreme Court 1935)
Walker v. Commonwealth, 1994 Va. App. LEXIS 514 (VA Ct. App. 1994)
Washington v. Commonwealth, 2006 Va. App. LEXIS 517 (VA Ct. App. 2006)
Wynn v. Commonwealth, 362 S.E.2d 193 (VA Ct. App. 1987)

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