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Crime in theU.S. state ofVirginia fluctuates significantly, driven by factors such as population density, urbanization and economic conditions.[1] Overall crime rates generally decreased in the state from 2008 to 2014.[2] Violent crime rates increased gradually from 2014 to 2023, while property crimes decreased over the same period.[3]
Overall, there were 177,060 crimes reported in 2014 in Virginia, including 338murders andhomicides.[2]
In 2012 Virginia had the 3rd-lowestrape rate by state afterNew Jersey andNew York.[2][4]
The state has significantly lower crime rates than demographically similar neighboring statesMaryland,North Carolina, andTennessee.[5]
In 2013,Hampton Roads had the highest crime rate by region in the state.[5]
In 2012,Richmond had 42murders, amurder rate of 20.2 per 100,000.[6]
In 2007, theFBIUniform Crime Reports ranked Richmond as the 5th worst city forviolent crimes with populations of 100,000 to 250,000.[7] Today Richmond is not in the top 25 of violent crime or murder.[8]
Capital punishment was abolished in this state when GovernorRalph Northam signed a bill into law on March 24, 2021.[9] Before that date, both theelectric chair andlethal injection were used to execute prisoners.[10]
State and federal officials could opt to send violent criminals to face trial in Virginia rather than their current state due to Virginia judges being more willing to carry out execution.[11]
When the“Beltway sniper” was arrested for 10 killings in theWashington area in 2002, federal authorities opted to send him to Virginia for prosecution even though most of the shootings took place in suburban Maryland.[11]
