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Vermont State law
State law — Vermont
Offences by family
Against the person
Assault (aggravated) Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Aggravated assault — (a)(1)/(2): serious bodily injury or bodily injury with a deadly weapon (§ 1024(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–15 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Aggravated assault — (a)(3)/(4)/(5): drugging, injury to an officer, armed threat (§ 1024(c)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
§ 1024(a)(5) (armed with a deadly weapon and threatening to use it) does not apply where the threat was in just and necessary self-defence, defence of listed family members, or suppression of a person attempting murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, burglary or robbery.
Assault (simple) Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Simple assault (§ 1023(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Simple assault in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent (§ 1023(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–60 days
- Fine
- $0–$500
Domestic violence Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Domestic assault — bodily injury or fear of imminent serious bodily injury to a family/household member (§ 1042) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–18 months
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
Violation of an abuse prevention / stalking / sexual-assault / child-contact protective order (§ 1030(a)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
Violation of such an order — 2nd+ offence, or prior domestic/aggravated domestic assault conviction (§ 1030(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–3 years
- Fine
- $0–$25,000
First- and second-degree aggravated domestic assault (§§ 1043–1044) penalty text was not tiered in this session. Abuse prevention orders are issued under 15 V.S.A. ch. 21 / 33 V.S.A. ch. 69.
Homicide — manslaughter Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Manslaughter (§ 2304) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 1–15 years
- Fine
- $0–$3,000
Minimum term of 1 year.
Vermont has a single manslaughter offence (§ 2304); voluntary/involuntary is not a statutory split in the penalty text.
Homicide — murder Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Murder in the first degree (§ 2303(a)(1), (b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Minimum 35 years to life
- Fine
- None stated
Jury weighing aggravating/mitigating factors may set a minimum above 35 years up to life without parole, or below 35 years but not below 15 years.
Murder in the second degree (§ 2303(a)(2), (c)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Minimum 20 years to life
- Fine
- None stated
Jury weighing aggravating/mitigating factors may set a minimum above 20 years up to life without parole, or below 20 years but not below 10 years.
§ 2303(a) applies to murders committed on or after the act's effective date. Degree definitions are in § 2301. Aggravated murder (§ 2311) penalty was not tiered in this session. No fine is stated in § 2303.
Sexual offences
Sexual assault / rape Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Sexual assault — § 3252(a), (b), (d), (e) (§ 3252(f)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 3 years–life
- Fine
- $0–$25,000
Minimum term of 3 years.
Sexual assault — sexual act with a child under 16, § 3252(c) (§ 3252(f)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–20 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Aggravated sexual assault (§ 3253(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 10 years–life
- Fine
- $0–$50,000
Aggravators include serious bodily injury, multiple actors, kidnapping, prior sexual-assault conviction, deadly weapon, deadly force, victim under 13 with actor 18+, or repeated nonconsensual acts.
§ 3252(f)(1) offenders are sentenced under § 3271. Aggravated sexual assault minimum term is not eligible for parole during the minimum (per secondary summary — confirm). § 3252(c) covers sexual acts with a child under 16 outside the close-in-age and marriage exceptions.
Property
Burglary Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Burglary (§ 1201(c)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–15 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Burglary while carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon (§ 1201(c)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–20 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Burglary into an occupied dwelling (§ 1201(c)(3)(A)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–25 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Burglary into an occupied dwelling while carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon (§ 1201(c)(3)(B)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–30 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Burglary requires entry into a building or structure without licence/privilege with intent to commit a felony, petit larceny, simple assault or unlawful mischief. 'Occupied dwelling' includes a building used as a residence full- or part-time, whether or not anyone is present.
Robbery Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Robbery — assaulting another and robbing/taking from person or presence (§ 1206) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- Not stated in quoted text
Assault and robbery with a dangerous weapon (§ 608(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–15 years
- Fine
- Not verified
Per the Legislature's 2019 penalty chart; confirm against official § 608 text.
Assault and robbery causing death or serious bodily injury (§ 608(c)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–20 years
- Fine
- Not verified
Per the Legislature's 2019 penalty chart; confirm against official § 608 text.
The quoted § 1206 text states imprisonment only; no fine is shown in that text. Fine amounts for the § 608 tiers were not retrieved in session. § 608 is the assault-and-robbery section; its tiers are per the Legislature's 2019 penalty chart and need official re-check.
Theft Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Petit larceny — property/services $900 or less (§ 2502) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Misdemeanour.
Grand larceny — property/services over $900 (§ 2501) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
Felony.
Larceny from the person — any value (§ 2503) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$500
Retail theft — retail value $900 or less (§ 2577(a), as amended by 2024 H.534) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–6 months
- Fine
- $0–$500
Retail theft — retail value over $900 (§ 2577(b), as amended by 2024 H.534) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
2024 H.534 reduced this maximum from 10 years to 5 years.
§ 2577(d): acting in concert to commit retail theft — aggregate value over $900 up to $10,000: 0–5 years / $0–$1,000; over $10,000: 0–10 years / $0–$1,000. § 2577(e): more than one retail theft in more than one location within 14 days, aggregate over $900: 0–3 years / $0–$1,000.
Vandalism / criminal damage Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Unlawful mischief — damage over $1,000 (§ 3701(a)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
Requires intent to damage property without right.
Unlawful mischief — damage over $250 (§ 3701(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Unlawful mischief — damage $250 or less (§ 3701(c)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–6 months
- Fine
- $0–$500
Unlawful mischief — damage by means of an explosive (§ 3701(d)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
A person who suffers damages may also recover them plus reasonable attorney's fees in a civil action (§ 3701(f)).
Fraud & financial
Fraud Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
False pretences — money/property obtained over $900 (§ 2002) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$2,000
False pretences — money/property obtained $900 or less (§ 2002) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
§ 2001 false personation (any value): 0–10 years / $0–$2,000. Other fraud-specific sections (e.g. bad checks § 2022, identity theft) were not tiered in this session.
Drugs
Drug possession Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Cocaine possession — under 5 g (§ 4231(a)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$2,000
Existing penalty per the Legislature's H.505 comparison chart; the chart's H.505 columns are proposals, not law.
Cocaine possession — 5 g or more (§ 4231(a)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$100,000
Cocaine possession — 30 g or more (§ 4231(a)(3)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$250,000
Cannabis — unlawful possession over 1 oz / 5 g hashish, civil tier (§ 4230(a)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- None (civil penalty)
- Fine
- $0–$100 (1st); $0–$200 (2nd); $0–$500 (3rd+)
Civil penalty, not a criminal conviction.
Cannabis possession — 2 oz or more / 10 g+ hashish / 3+ mature plants, 1st offence (§ 4230(a)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–6 months
- Fine
- $0–$500
First offence: Court Diversion Program opportunity unless the prosecutor states on the record why diversion would not serve the ends of justice.
Cannabis possession — 2 oz or more, 2nd or subsequent offence (§ 4230(a)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$2,000
Parallel possession tiers for heroin (§ 4233), LSD (§ 4232), depressants/stimulants/narcotics (§ 4234) and methamphetamine (§ 4234a) were not tiered in this session. § 4238 doubles the authorised penalty for a second or subsequent offence (except § 4230(a)(1)). Higher-weight cannabis possession tiers in § 4230(a)(3) were not tiered. Cannabis possession of up to 1 oz / 5 g hashish by an adult 21+ is lawful; the civil-penalty tier below covers unlawful possession over that amount.
Drug trafficking / sale Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Cocaine — dispensing (§ 4231(b)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–3 years
- Fine
- $0–$75,000
Cocaine — sale (§ 4231(b)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$100,000
The weight-based trafficking subsection (§ 4231(c)) was not tiered in this session. § 4238 doubles penalties for a second or subsequent offence; a second or subsequent trafficking offence carries 3–30 years / up to $2,000,000 under § 4238(b). § 4250 (selling/dispensing with death resulting) was not tiered. Cannabis sale tiers in § 4230(b) were not re-verified against the current text and are not shown.
Weapons
Weapons offences Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with intent to injure another (§ 4003) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$2,000
As amended 2018.
Carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon intending to injure multiple persons (§ 4003) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$25,000
Felony.
Prohibited person — person convicted of a violent crime possessing a firearm (§ 4017) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Does not apply to a person exempt from federal firearms restrictions under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c).
Slung shot / blackjack / brass knuckles — use, attempted use, or possession with intent to use (§ 4001) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Other firearm provisions (including magazine-capacity and other 2018/2023 enactments) were not tiered in this session. Vermont does not generally require a permit to carry a firearm; the offences shown are conduct-based (intent to injure) and person-based (prohibited person) offences.
Traffic & transport
DUI / drink driving Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
DUI — 1st offence (§ 1210(b)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$750
No mandatory minimum jail term.
DUI — 2nd offence within 20 years (§ 1210(c)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,500
At least 200 hours of community service, or 60 consecutive hours of imprisonment served and not suspendable/deferrable (credit for residential alcohol facility time).
DUI — 3rd offence (§ 1210(d)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$2,500
96 consecutive hours of imprisonment minimum per secondary summaries — confirm against official text.
DUI — 4th or subsequent offence (§ 1210(e)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
192 consecutive hours of imprisonment minimum per secondary summaries — confirm against official text.
20-year lookback for prior convictions. Third and subsequent offences are felonies. Additional surcharges (reported by a secondary source: $60 blood/breath testing, $50 public defender, $50 DUI enforcement) were not verified against official text and are not shown. DUI with death/serious injury provisions (§ 1210 / § 1201 variants) were not tiered.
Cyber & digital
Cybercrime / hacking Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Alteration/damage/interference — loss $500 or less, 1st offence (§ 4104(b)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$500
Alteration/damage/interference — loss $500 or less, 2nd+ offence (§ 4104(b)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Alteration/damage/interference — loss over $500 (§ 4104(b)(3)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Theft/destruction — loss $500 or less, 1st offence (§ 4105(b)(1)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–1 year
- Fine
- $0–$5,000
Copying commercially available software of retail value $500 or less, not for resale, is excluded.
Theft/destruction — loss $500 or less, 2nd+ offence (§ 4105(b)(2)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–2 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Theft/destruction — loss over $500 (§ 4105(b)(3)) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$25,000
§§ 4102 (unauthorised access) and 4103 (access for fraudulent purposes) penalty text was not retrieved in this session and is not tiered. A 2026 draft bill to modernise computer crimes (including an aggravated computer crime tier of 0–10 years / $0–$50,000) was NOT treated as law. § 4106 provides civil liability for anyone injured by a computer crime.