the VA law is that you are fined 25,000, not 2500. doesnt matter if it was you or a shop, 25k. all i have to say is that i bought the car from some guy from georgia and he told me everything was va ready.
i have never heard of anone who has heard of anyone who has heard of anyone getting fined any significant amount. this must say something. i live in michigan and couldn't imagine a cop that would actually follow through with all of it. they are human beings too and i don't think there are too many cops who could fine someone $25,000 for exhaust.
one of my friends told me that if you personally take off your cats in michigan, its not illegal. but i don't know how this can be when it is a federal law not a state law???