Important Virginia Laws Regarding Crime Line and Confidentiality

§ 15.2-1713.1.    Local “Crime Stoppers” programs; confidentiality.

    As used in this section, a “Crime Stoppers,” “Crime Solvers,” “Crime Line,” or other similarly named organization is defined as a private, nonprofit Virginia corporation governed by a civilian volunteer board of directors that is operated on a local or statewide level that (i) offers anonymity to persons providing information to the organization, (ii) accepts and expends donations for cash rewards to persons who report to the organization information about alleged criminal activity and that the organization forwards to the appropriate law-enforcement agency, and (iii) is established as a cooperative alliance between the news media, the community, and law-enforcement officials.

    Evidence of a communication or any information contained therein between a person submitting a report of an alleged criminal act to a “Crime Stoppers” organization and the person who accepted the report on behalf of the organization is not admissible in a court proceeding.   Law-enforcement agencies receiving information concerning alleged criminal activity from a “Crime Stoppers” organization shall maintain confidentiality pursuant to § 2.2-3706(A)(3).

§ 2.2-3706 (A)(3).    Disclosure of criminal records; limitations. (Freedom of Information Act)

Prohibited Releases: The identity of any individual providing information about a crime or criminal activity under a promise of anonymity shall not be disclosed.

Download our informational brochure here