dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-361.01. Sexual abuse of animals; penalties.
A. As used in this section:

"Animal" means any nonhuman vertebrate species.

"Obscene" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-372.

"Obscene item" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-373.

"Sexual contact" means any act committed between a person and an animal for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain involving (i) contact between the sex organs or anus of one and the mouth, sex organs, or anus of another; (ii) the insertion of any part of the animal's body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person; or (iii) the insertion of any part of the body of a person or any object into the vaginal or anal opening of an animal or touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs or anus of an animal without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose.

B. Any person who knowingly (i) engages in sexual contact with an animal; (ii) causes another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in sexual contact with an animal; (iii) advertises, solicits, offers, sells, purchases, or possesses an animal with the intent that the animal be subject to sexual contact; (iv) permits sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any premises under his ownership or control; or (v) produces, distributes, publishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses, or possesses with the intent to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit an obscene item depicting a person engaged in sexual contact with an animal is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

C. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be prohibited by the court from possessing, owning, or exercising control over any animal. Additionally, the court may order such person to attend an appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling and may impose the costs of such a program or counseling upon the person convicted.

D. Nothing in this section shall apply to an accepted veterinary practice; the artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes; an accepted animal husbandry practice, including grooming, raising, breeding, or assisting with the birthing process of animals; or generally accepted practices related to the judging of breed conformation.

E. For the purpose of enforcing this section, the provisions of §§ 3.2-6502, 3.2-6564, and 3.2-6568 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2022, c. 594.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-361.1. Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense.
A. For the purposes of this section:

"Qualifying offense" means a charge for a violation of § 18.2-346 or 18.2-347.

"Victim of sex trafficking" means any person charged with a qualifying offense in the Commonwealth who committed such offense as a direct result of being solicited, invited, recruited, encouraged, forced, intimidated, or deceived by another to engage in acts of prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse for money or its equivalent, as described in § 18.2-346, regardless of whether any other person has been charged or convicted of an offense related to the sex trafficking of such person.

B. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of a qualifying offense if at the time of the offense leading to such charge, such person was a victim of sex trafficking and (i) was coerced to engage in the offense through the use of force or intimidation or (ii) such offense was committed at the direction of another person other than the individual with whom the person engaged in the acts of prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse for such money or its equivalent.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 334.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-362. Person marrying when spouse is living; penalty; venue.
If any married person, during the life of such person's spouse, marries another person in the Commonwealth, or, if the marriage with such other person takes place outside of the Commonwealth and the persons cohabitate in the Commonwealth, he is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Venue for a violation of this section may be in the county or city where the subsequent marriage occurred or where the parties to the subsequent marriage cohabited.

Code 1950, § 20-41; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2003, c. 99; 2020, c. 900.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-363. Leaving Commonwealth to evade law against bigamy.
If any persons, resident in the Commonwealth, one of whom has a living spouse, shall, with the intention of returning to reside in the Commonwealth, go into another state or country and there intermarry and return to and reside in the Commonwealth cohabiting as a married couple, such marriage shall be governed by the same law, in all respects, as if it had been solemnized in the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 20-44; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2020, c. 900.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-364. Exceptions to §§ 18.2-362 and 18.2-363.
Sections 18.2-362 and 18.2-363 shall not extend to a person whose spouse shall have been continuously absent from such person for seven years next before marriage of such person to another, and shall not have been known by such person to be living within that time; nor to a person who can show that the second marriage was contracted in good faith under a reasonable belief that the former consort was dead; nor to a person who shall, at the time of the subsequent marriage, have been divorced from the bond of the former marriage; nor to a person whose former marriage was void.

Code 1950, § 20-42; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2020, c. 900.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-365. Adultery defined; penalty.
Any person, being married, who voluntarily shall have sexual intercourse with any person not his or her spouse shall be guilty of adultery, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, §§18.1-187, 18.1-190; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-366. Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties.
A. Any person who engages in sexual intercourse with any person whom he is forbidden by law to marry is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor except as provided by subsection B.

B. Any person who engages in sexual intercourse with his daughter or granddaughter, son or grandson, or father or mother is guilty of a Class 5 felony. However, if a parent or grandparent engages in sexual intercourse with his child or grandchild, and such child or grandchild is at least 13 years of age but less than 18 years of age at the time of the offense, such parent or grandparent is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

C. For the purposes of this section, parent includes stepparent, grandparent includes step-grandparent, child includes a stepchild, and grandchild includes a step-grandchild.

Code 1950, § 18.1-191; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1981, c. 397; 1993, c. 703; 2014, c. 542; 2020, cc. 122, 900.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-367. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2004, c. 459.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-368. Placing or leaving spouse for prostitution; penalty.
Any person who, by force, fraud, intimidation, or threats, places or leaves or procures any other person to place or leave his spouse in a bawdy place for the purpose of prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus is guilty of pandering, punishable as a Class 4 felony.

Code 1950, § 18.1-207; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2014, c. 794; 2020, c. 900.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370. Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties.
A. Any person 18 years of age or over, who, with lascivious intent, knowingly and intentionally commits any of the following acts with any child under the age of 15 years is guilty of a Class 5 felony:

(1) Expose his or her sexual or genital parts to any child to whom such person is not legally married or propose that any such child expose his or her sexual or genital parts to such person; or

(2) [Repealed.]

(3) Propose that any such child feel or fondle his own sexual or genital parts or the sexual or genital parts of such person or propose that such person feel or fondle the sexual or genital parts of any such child; or

(4) Propose to such child the performance of an act of sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus or any act constituting an offense under § 18.2-361; or

(5) Entice, allure, persuade, or invite any such child to enter any vehicle, room, house, or other place, for any of the purposes set forth in the preceding subdivisions of this subsection.

B. Any person 18 years of age or over who, with lascivious intent, knowingly and intentionally receives money, property, or any other remuneration for allowing, encouraging, or enticing any person under the age of 18 years to perform in or be a subject of sexually explicit visual material as defined in § 18.2-374.1 or who knowingly encourages such person to perform in or be a subject of sexually explicit material is guilty of a Class 5 felony.

C. Any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this section is guilty of a Class 4 felony, provided that (i) the offenses were not part of a common act, transaction or scheme; (ii) the accused was at liberty as defined in § 53.1-151 between each conviction; and (iii) it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom the person is tried, that the accused was previously convicted of a violation of this section.

D. Any parent, step-parent, grandparent, or step-grandparent who commits a violation of either this section or clause (v) or (vi) of subsection A of § 18.2-370.1 (i) upon his child, step-child, grandchild, or step-grandchild who is at least 15 but less than 18 years of age is guilty of a Class 5 felony or (ii) upon his child, step-child, grandchild, or step-grandchild less than 15 years of age is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Code 1950, §§ 18.1-213 through 18.1-215; 1960, c. 358; 1973, c. 131; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1979, c. 348; 1981, c. 397; 1986, c. 503; 2000, c. 333; 2001, cc. 776, 840; 2005, cc. 185, 762; 2013, cc. 423, 470; 2014, c. 794.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.01. Indecent liberties by children; penalty.
Any child over the age of thirteen years but under the age of eighteen who, with lascivious intent, knowingly and intentionally exposes his or her sexual or genital parts to any other child under the age of fourteen years who, measured by actual dates of birth, is five or more years the accused's junior, or proposes that any such child expose his or her sexual or genital parts to such person, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1998, c. 825.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.1. Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties.
A. Any person 18 years of age or older who, except as provided in § 18.2-370, maintains a custodial or supervisory relationship over a child under the age of 18 and is not legally married to such child and such child is not emancipated who, with lascivious intent, knowingly and intentionally (i) proposes that any such child feel or fondle the sexual or genital parts of such person or that such person feel or handle the sexual or genital parts of the child; or (ii) proposes to such child the performance of an act of sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus or any act constituting an offense under § 18.2-361; or (iii) exposes his or her sexual or genital parts to such child; or (iv) proposes that any such child expose his or her sexual or genital parts to such person; or (v) proposes to the child that the child engage in sexual intercourse, sodomy or fondling of sexual or genital parts with another person; or (vi) sexually abuses the child as defined in subdivision 6 of § 18.2-67.10 is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. Any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this section is guilty of a Class 5 felony, provided that (i) the offenses were not part of a common act, transaction or scheme; (ii) the accused was at liberty as defined in § 53.1-151 between each conviction; and (iii) it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom the person is tried, that the accused was previously convicted of a violation of this section.

1982, c. 521; 1986, c. 503; 1991, c. 517; 2001, c. 840; 2005, c. 185; 2014, c. 794.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.2. Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; penalty.
A. "Offense prohibiting proximity to children" means a violation or an attempt to commit a violation of (i) subsection A of § 18.2-47, clause (ii) or (iii) of § 18.2-48, subsection B of § 18.2-361, or subsection B of § 18.2-366, where the victim of one of the foregoing offenses was a minor, or (ii) clause (iii) of subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63 or 18.2-64.1, subdivision A 1 of § 18.2-67.1, subdivision A 1 of § 18.2-67.2, subdivision A 1 or A 4 (a) of § 18.2-67.3, § 18.2-370 or 18.2-370.1, clause (ii) of § 18.2-371, or § 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1 or 18.2-379. As of July 1, 2006, "offense prohibiting proximity to children" includes a violation of § 18.2-472.1 when the offense requiring registration was one of the foregoing offenses.

B. Every adult who is convicted of an offense prohibiting proximity to children when the offense occurred on or after July 1, 2000, shall as part of his sentence be forever prohibited from loitering within 100 feet of the premises of any place he knows or has reason to know is a primary, secondary or high school. In addition, every adult who is convicted of an offense prohibiting proximity to children when the offense occurred on or after July 1, 2006, shall as part of his sentence be forever prohibited from loitering within 100 feet of the premises of any place he knows or has reason to know is a child day program as defined in § 22.1-289.02.

C. Every adult who is convicted of an offense prohibiting proximity to children, when the offense occurred on or after July 1, 2008, shall as part of his sentence be forever prohibited from going, for the purpose of having any contact whatsoever with children who are not in his custody, within 100 feet of the premises of any place owned or operated by a locality that he knows or should know is a playground, athletic field or facility, or gymnasium.

D. Any person convicted of an offense under the laws of any foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States or any political subdivision thereof, similar to any offense set forth in subsection A shall be forever prohibited from loitering within 100 feet of the premises of any place he knows or has reason to know is a primary, secondary, or high school or any place he knows or has reason to know is a child day program as defined in § 22.1-289.02. In addition, he shall be forever prohibited from going, for the purpose of having any contact whatsoever with children who are not in his custody, within 100 feet of the premises of any place owned or operated by a locality that he knows or has reason to know is a playground, athletic field or facility, or gymnasium.

E. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

2000, c. 770; 2006, cc. 857, 914; 2008, c. 579; 2017, c. 507; 2020, cc. 860, 861.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.4. Sex offenses prohibiting working on school property; penalty.
A. Every adult who has been convicted of an offense occurring on or after July 1, 2006, where the offender is more than three years older than the victim, of one of the following qualifying offenses: (i) clause (iii) of subsection A of § 18.2-61, (ii) subdivision A 1 of § 18.2-67.1, (iii) subdivision A 1 of § 18.2-67.2, or (iv) any similar offense under the laws of any foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States or any political subdivision thereof, shall be forever prohibited from working or engaging in any volunteer activity on property he knows or has reason to know is a public or private elementary or secondary school or child day center property. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 6 felony. The provisions of this section shall only apply if the qualifying offense was done in the commission of, or as a part of the same course of conduct of, or as part of a common scheme or plan as a violation of (a) subsection A of § 18.2-47 or 18.2-48; (b) § 18.2-89, 18.2-90, or 18.2-91; (c) § 18.2-51.2; or (d) any similar offense under the laws of any foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States or any political subdivision thereof.

B. An employer of a person who violates this section, or any person who procures volunteer activity by a person who violates this section, and the school or child day center where the violation of this section occurred, are immune from civil liability unless they had actual knowledge that such person had been convicted of an offense listed in subsection A.

2006, cc. 853, 857, 914; 2017, c. 507.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.5. Offenses prohibiting entry onto school or other property; penalty.
A. Every adult who is convicted of a Tier III offense, as defined in § 9.1-902, shall be prohibited from entering or being present (i) during school hours, and during school-related or school-sponsored activities upon any property he knows or has reason to know is a public or private elementary or secondary school or child day center property; (ii) on any school bus as defined in § 46.2-100; or (iii) upon any property, public or private, during hours when such property is solely being used by a public or private elementary or secondary school for a school-related or school-sponsored activity.

B. The provisions of clauses (i) and (iii) of subsection A shall not apply to such adult if (i) he is a lawfully registered and qualified voter, and is coming upon such property solely for purposes of casting his vote; (ii) he is a student enrolled at the school; or (iii) he has obtained a court order pursuant to subsection C allowing him to enter and be present upon such property, has obtained the permission of the school board or of the owner of the private school or child day center or their designee for entry within all or part of the scope of the lifted ban, and is in compliance with such school board's, school's or center's terms and conditions and those of the court order.

C. Every adult who is prohibited from entering upon school or child day center property pursuant to subsection A may after notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth and either (i) the proprietor of the child day center, (ii) the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the chairman of the school board of the school division in which the school is located, or (iii) the chief administrator of the school if such school is not a public school, petition the circuit court in the county or city where the school or child day center is located for permission to enter such property. The court shall direct that the petitioner shall cause notice of the time and place of the hearing on his petition to be published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper meeting the requirements of § 8.01-324. The newspaper notice shall contain a provision stating that written comments regarding the petition may be submitted to the clerk of court at least five days prior to the hearing. For good cause shown, the court may issue an order permitting the petitioner to enter and be present on such property, subject to whatever restrictions of area, reasons for being present, or time limits the court deems appropriate.

D. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

2007, cc. 284, 370; 2008, c. 781; 2010, c. 402; 2011, cc. 648, 796, 855; 2015, c. 688; 2020, c. 829.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-370.6. Penetration of mouth of child with lascivious intent; penalty.
Any person 18 years of age or older who, with lascivious intent, kisses a child under the age of 13 on the mouth while knowingly and intentionally penetrating the mouth of such child with his tongue is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

2008, c. 772.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-371. Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant.
Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in § 16.1-228 or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting §§ 18.2-18, 18.2-19, 18.2-61, 18.2-63, and 18.2-347.

If the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the child's life to (a) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, (b) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel, or (c) a newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child's safety.

Code 1950, § 18.1-14; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1981, cc. 397, 568; 1990, c. 797; 1991, c. 295; 1993, c. 411; 2003, cc. 816, 822; 2006, c. 935; 2008, cc. 174, 206; 2014, c. 794; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2022, cc. 80, 81.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-371.2:1. Prohibiting possession of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age; seizure.
A. No person younger than 21 years of age shall possess any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the possession of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age (i) making a delivery of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking in pursuance of his employment or (ii) as part of a scientific study being conducted by an organization for the purpose of medical research to further efforts in cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation and tobacco product regulation, provided that such medical research has been approved by an institutional review board pursuant to applicable federal regulations or by a research review committee pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1. This subsection shall not apply to the possession of any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking by a law-enforcement officer or his agent when the same is necessary in the performance of his duties.

B. Any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2, possessed in violation of this section shall be deemed contraband and may be seized by a law-enforcement officer. Any such product, the lawful possession of which is not established, seized by such officer shall be forfeited and disposed of according to the process described in subdivision A 2 of § 19.2-386.23.

C. The seizure of contraband pursuant to subsection B shall be the sole penalty for a violation of this section.

D. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other statute.

2025, cc. 595, 596.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-371.3. Tattooing or body piercing of minors.
No person shall tattoo or perform body piercing for hire or consideration on a person less than eighteen years of age, knowing or having reason to believe such person is less than eighteen years of age except (i) in the presence of the person's parent or guardian, or (ii) when done by or under the supervision of a medical doctor, registered nurse or other medical services personnel licensed pursuant to Title 54.1 in the performance of their duties.

In addition, no person shall tattoo or perform body piercing on any client unless he complies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for "Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions" and provides the client with the following disclosure:

1. Tattooing and body piercing are invasive procedures in which the skin is penetrated by a foreign object.

2. If proper sterilization and antiseptic procedures are not followed by tattoo artists and body piercers, there is a risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other infections, including, but not limited to, human immunodeficiency viruses and hepatitis B or C viruses.

3. Tattooing and body piercing may cause allergic reactions in persons sensitive to dyes or the metals used in ornamentation.

4. Tattooing and body piercing may involve discomfort or pain for which appropriate anesthesia cannot be legally made available by the person performing the tattoo or body piercing unless such person holds the appropriate license from a Virginia health regulatory board.

A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

For the purposes of this section:

"Body-piercing" means the act of penetrating the skin to make a hole, mark, or scar, generally permanent in nature. "Body piercing" does not include the use of a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both.

"Tattoo" means to place any design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol or any other mark upon or under the skin of any person with ink or any other substance resulting in the permanent coloration of the skin, including permanent make-up or permanent jewelry, by the aid of needles or any other instrument designed to touch or puncture the skin.

1997, c. 586; 2000, c. 842; 2001, c. 270; 2006, c. 692.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-371.4. Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles.
A. "Novelty lighter" means a mechanical or electrical device containing a combustible fuel typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that is (i) designed to resemble a cartoon character, toy, gun, watch, musical instrument, vehicle, animal, food, or beverage, or (ii) a fanciful article that plays musical notes, has flashing lights, or has other entertaining features that are appealing to or intended for use by juveniles. A novelty lighter may operate on any fuel, including butane, isobutene, or liquid fuel.

B. "Novelty lighter" does not include (i) a lighter without fuel and that is incapable of being fueled, (ii) a lighter lacking a device necessary to produce combustion or a flame, (iii) a mechanical or electrical device primarily used to ignite fuel for fireplaces or for charcoal or gas grills, (iv) a lighter manufactured prior to 1980, or (v) a standard disposable lighter that is printed or decorated with logos, labels, decals, or artwork, or heat shrinkable sleeves.

C. Novelty lighters that are available for purchase at a retail establishment shall be located in a place that is not open to the general public.

D. Any individual who sells a novelty lighter to a person he knows or has reason to know is a juvenile is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $100.

E. This section may be enforced by the State Fire Marshal's Office, local fire marshals appointed pursuant to § 27-34.2 or 27-34.2:1, or law-enforcement officers.

2009, c. 668.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-372. "Obscene" defined.
The word "obscene" where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Code 1950, § 18.1-227; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-373. Obscene items enumerated.
Obscene items shall include:

(1) Any obscene book;

(2) Any obscene leaflet, pamphlet, magazine, booklet, picture, painting, bumper sticker, drawing, photograph, film, negative, slide, motion picture, videotape recording;

(3) Any obscene figure, object, article, instrument, novelty device, or recording or transcription used or intended to be used in disseminating any obscene song, ballad, words, or sounds; or

(4) Any obscene writing, picture or similar visual representation, or sound recording, stored in an electronic or other medium retrievable in a perceivable form.

Code 1950, § 18.1-229; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1981, c. 293; 1989, c. 546; 2000, c. 1009.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-374. Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:

(1) Prepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or

(2) Print, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes of sale or distribution; or

(3) Publish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute or exhibit any obscene item, or offer to do any of these things; or

(4) Have in his possession with intent to sell, rent, lend, transport, or distribute any obscene item. Possession in public or in a public place of any obscene item as defined in this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

For the purposes of this section, "distribute" shall mean delivery in person, by mail, messenger or by any other means by which obscene items as defined in this article may pass from one person, firm or corporation to another.

Code 1950, § 18.1-228; 1960, c. 233; 1962, c. 289; 1970, c. 204; 1975, cc. 14, 15.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-374.1:1. Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty.
A. Any person who knowingly possesses child pornography is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of subsection A is guilty of a Class 5 felony.

C. Any person who knowingly (i) reproduces by any means, including by computer, sells, gives away, distributes, electronically transmits, displays, purchases, or possesses with intent to sell, give away, distribute, transmit, or display child pornography or (ii) commands, entreats, or otherwise attempts to persuade another person to send, submit, transfer or provide to him any child pornography in order to gain entry into a group, association, or assembly of persons engaged in trading or sharing child pornography shall be punished by not less than five years nor more than 20 years in a state correctional facility. Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation under this subsection shall be punished by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 20 years in a state correctional facility, five years of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. The mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment prescribed for violations of this section shall be served consecutively with any other sentence.

D. Any person who intentionally operates an Internet website for the purpose of facilitating the payment for access to child pornography is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

E. All child pornography shall be subject to lawful seizure and forfeiture pursuant to § 19.2-386.31.

F. For purposes of this section it may be inferred by text, title or appearance that a person who is depicted as or presents the appearance of being less than 18 years of age in sexually explicit visual material is less than 18 years of age.

G. Venue for a prosecution under this section may lie in the jurisdiction where the unlawful act occurs, where the alleged offender resides, or where any child pornography is produced, reproduced, found, stored, received, or possessed in violation of this section.

H. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any such material that is possessed for a bona fide medical, scientific, governmental, law-enforcement, or judicial purpose by a physician, psychologist, scientist, attorney, employee of the Department of Social Services or a local department of social services, employee of a law-enforcement agency, judge, or clerk and such person possesses such material in the course of conducting his professional duties as such.

1992, c. 745; 1993, c. 853; 1994, c. 511; 1999, c. 659; 2003, cc. 935, 938; 2004, c. 995; 2007, cc. 759, 823; 2009, c. 379; 2011, cc. 399, 416; 2012, c. 369; 2013, cc. 761, 774; 2014, c. 291; 2015, c. 428; 2017, c. 96; 2020, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-374.1:2. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2007, cc. 759 and 823, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-374.2. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2004, c. 995.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-374.4. Display of child pornography or grooming video or materials to a child unlawful; penalty.
A. Any person 18 years of age or older who displays child pornography or a grooming video or materials to a child under 13 years of age with the intent to entice, solicit, or encourage the child to engage in the fondling of the sexual or genital parts of another or the fondling of his sexual or genital parts by another, sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, or object sexual penetration is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. "Grooming video or materials" means a cartoon, animation, image, or series of images depicting a child engaged in the fondling of the sexual or genital parts of another or the fondling of his sexual or genital parts by another, masturbation, sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, or object sexual penetration.

2012, c. 624.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-375. Obscene exhibitions and performances.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:

(1) Produce, promote, prepare, present, manage, direct, carry on or participate in, any obscene exhibitions or performances, including the exhibition or performance of any obscene motion picture, play, drama, show, entertainment, exposition, tableau or scene; provided, that no employee of any person or legal entity operating a theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place which presents such obscene exhibition or performance shall be subject to prosecution under this section if the employee is not the manager of the theatre or an officer of such entity, and has no financial interest in such theatre other than receiving salary and wages; or

(2) Own, lease or manage any theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place and lease, let, lend or permit such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place to be used for the purpose of presenting such obscene exhibition or performance or to fail to post prominently therein the name and address of a person resident in the locality who is the manager of such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place.

Code 1950, § 18.1-230; 1960, c. 233; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 191; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-376. Advertising, etc., obscene items, exhibitions or performances.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to prepare, print, publish, or circulate, or cause to be prepared, printed, published or circulated, any notice or advertisement of any obscene item proscribed in § 18.2-373, or of any obscene performance or exhibition proscribed in § 18.2-375, stating or indicating where such obscene item, exhibition, or performance may be purchased, obtained, seen or heard.

Code 1950, § 18.1-231; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-376.1. Enhanced penalties for using a computer in certain violations.
Any person who uses a computer in connection with a violation of §§ 18.2-374, 18.2-375, or § 18.2-376 is guilty of a separate and distinct Class 1 misdemeanor, and for a second or subsequent such offense within 10 years of a prior such offense is guilty of a Class 6 felony, the penalties to be imposed in addition to any other punishment otherwise prescribed for a violation of any of those sections.

2003, cc. 987, 1016.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-377. Placards, posters, bills, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to expose, place, display, post up, exhibit, paint, print, or mark, or cause to be exposed, placed, displayed, posted, exhibited, painted, printed or marked, in or on any building, structure, billboard, wall or fence, or on any street, or in or upon any public place, any placard, poster, banner, bill, writing, or picture which is obscene, or which advertises or promotes any obscene item proscribed in § 18.2-373 or any obscene exhibition or performance proscribed in § 18.2-375, or knowingly to permit the same to be displayed on property belonging to or controlled by him.

Code 1950, § 18.1-232; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-378. Coercing acceptance of obscene articles or publications.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation, as a condition to any sale, allocation, consignment or delivery for resale of any paper, magazine, book, periodical or publication to require that the purchaser or consignee receive for resale any other article, book, or other publication which is obscene; nor shall any person, firm, association or corporation deny or threaten to deny any franchise or impose or threaten to impose any penalty, financial or otherwise, by reason of the failure or refusal of any person to accept such articles, books, or publications, or by reason of the return thereof.

Code 1950, § 18.1-233; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-379. Employing or permitting minor to assist in offense under article.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to hire, employ, use or permit any minor to do or assist in doing any act or thing constituting an offense under this article.

Code 1950, § 18.1-234; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-380. Punishment for first offense.
Any person, firm, association or corporation convicted for the first time of an offense under §§ 18.2-374, 18.2-375, 18.2-376, 18.2-377, 18.2-378 or § 18.2-379, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 18.1-235.1; 1968, c. 662; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1983, c. 412; 1985, c. 279.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-381. Punishment for subsequent offenses; additional penalty for owner.
Any person, firm, association or corporation convicted of a second or other subsequent offense under § 18.2-374, 18.2-375, 18.2-376, 18.2-377, 18.2-378, or 18.2-379 is guilty of a Class 6 felony. However, if the person, firm, association or corporation convicted of such subsequent offense is the owner of the business establishment where each of the offenses occurred, a fine of not more than $10,000 shall be imposed in addition to the penalties otherwise prescribed by this section.

Code 1950, § 18.1-236.1; 1960, c. 233; 1968, c. 662; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1983, c. 412; 2015, c. 428.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-382. Photographs, slides and motion pictures.
Every person who knowingly:

(1) Photographs himself or any other person, for purposes of preparing an obscene film, photograph, negative, slide or motion picture for purposes of sale or distribution; or

(2) Models, poses, acts, or otherwise assists in the preparation of any obscene film, photograph, negative, slide or motion picture for purposes of sale or distribution;

shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 18.1-235; 1960, c. 233; 1970, c. 204; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-383. Exceptions to application of article.
Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to apply to:

(1) The purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan of any book, magazine, or other printed or manuscript material by any library, school, or institution of higher education, supported by public appropriation;

(2) The purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan of any work of art by any museum of fine arts, school, or institution of higher education, supported by public appropriation;

(3) The exhibition or performance of any play, drama, tableau, or motion picture by any theatre, museum of fine arts, school, or institution of higher education, supported by public appropriation.

Code 1950, § 18.1-236.2; 1960, c. 233; 1966, c. 516; 1975, cc. 14, 15.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-385. Section 18.2-384 applicable to motion picture films.
The provisions of § 18.2-384 shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case of motion picture film.

Code 1950, § 18.1-236.4; 1966, c. 516; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-386. Showing previews of certain motion pictures.
It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit any trailer or preview of any motion picture which has a motion picture industry rating which would not permit persons in the audience viewing the feature motion picture to see the complete motion picture from which the trailer or preview is taken. Persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 18.1-246.1; 1970, c. 504; 1975, cc. 14, 15.
Code of Virginia — Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency)
§ 18.2-386.1. Unlawful creation of image of another; penalty.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally create any videographic or still image by any means whatsoever of any nonconsenting person if (i) that person is totally nude, clad in undergarments, or in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast in a restroom, dressing room, locker room, hotel room, motel room, tanning bed, tanning booth, bedroom or other location; or (ii) the videographic or still image is created by placing the lens or image-gathering component of the recording device in a position directly beneath or between a person's legs for the purpose of capturing an image of the person's intimate parts or undergarments covering those intimate parts when the intimate parts or undergarments would not otherwise be visible to the general public; and when the circumstances set forth in clause (i) or (ii) are otherwise such that the person being recorded would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any videographic or still image created by any means whatsoever by (i) law-enforcement officers pursuant to a criminal investigation which is otherwise lawful or (ii) correctional officials and local or regional jail officials for security purposes or for investigations of alleged misconduct involving a person committed to the Department of Corrections or to a local or regional jail, or to any sound recording of an oral conversation made as a result of any videotaping or filming pursuant to Chapter 6 (§ 19.2-61 et seq.) of Title 19.2.

C. A violation of subsection A shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

D. A violation of subsection A involving a nonconsenting person under the age of 18 shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony.

E. Where it is alleged in the warrant, information, or indictment on which the person is convicted and found by the court or jury trying the case that the person has previously been convicted within the 10-year period immediately preceding the offense charged of two or more of the offenses specified in this section, each such offense occurring on a different date, and when such offenses were not part of a common act, transaction, or scheme, and such person has been at liberty as defined in § 53.1-151 between each conviction, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

1994, c. 640; 2004, c. 844; 2005, c. 375; 2008, c. 732; 2014, c. 399.