The crime involves altering, destroying, or concealing physical evidence with the intent to affect the outcome of a criminal investigation or court proceeding. Tampering with evidence is illegal under both federal and state law. To further compound this problem, Virginia courts do not allow what is known as a “spoliation of evidence” instruction in criminal cases. ); Section 18.2-141 (Cutting or Destroying Trees); Section 18.2-143 (Pulling Down Fences or Leaving … . Under the Code of Virginia section §18.2-504 if your will is destroyed with the intent to prevent probate, the individual doing so will be deemed guilty of a Class 6 felony. (f) The Department of Public Safety shall adopt standards and rules authorizing a county with a population less than 100,000 to ensure the preservation of biological evidence by promptly delivering the evidence to the Department of Public Safety for storage in accordance with Section 411.053, Government Code, and department rules. § 19.2-270.4 The basic elements of tampering with evidence include: Intent: The most important element of this crime is the accused's state of mind. ); Section 18.2-138 (Damaging Public Buildings); Section 18.2-139 (Injuries to Trees, Fences, or Herbage on Grounds of Any Capitol, or in Any Public Square); Section 18.2-140 (Destruction of Trees, Shrubs, Etc. Sept. 18, 2018), holds that mere alleged spoliation, without actual evidence of destruction or suppression, is insufficient to defeat summary judgment. Justia US Law US Codes and Statutes Code of Virginia 2006 Code of Virginia Title 19.2 — CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. Removal, injury to or destruction of property, monuments designating land boundaries and of certain no trespassing signs; penalties. Penn. ← Previous 19.2-270.3 Admissible evidence as to identity of party presenting bad check, draft or order; Next → 19.2-270.4:1 Storage, preservation and retention of human biological evidence in felony cases 19.2 Criminal Procedure; 16 Evidence And Witnesses; 1 In General § 19.2-270.4 When donation, destruction, or return of exhibits . The plaintiff defended a motion for summary judgment by alleging thatWal-Mart failed to preserve relevant video. Statute(s) Virginia Code: Section 18.2-137 (Injuring Any Property, Monument, Etc. Under Code of Virginia § 42.1-85, the Library of Virginia (LVA) has the authority to issue regulations governing the retention and disposition of state and local public records.In keeping with the Code's mandate, LVA has developed records retention and disposition schedules outlining the disposition of … Accidental destruction or simple abandonment (throwing away) is not enough to prove intent. A Class 6 felony entails the possibility of one to five years in prison, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500.00. . The prosecution must show that evidence was willfully and purposefully interfered with. Wal-Mart, 2018 WL 4468100, (E.D. Chapter 16 - Evidence and Witnesses Code of Virginia § 19.2-270.4 - When donation, destruction or return of exhibits received in evidence authorized Commonwealth of Virginia VA. CODE § 19.2-386.23 [ ] General District Court [ ] Circuit Court ... paraphernalia, the manner of destruction, the location where such substances or paraphernalia were seized and the person(s) from whom the substances or paraphernalia was seized, if known, are as set forth aboveand are incorporated by reference. §61-3-30.