Virginia criminal charge
Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse in Virginia
Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349.
What is the penalty for using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (General use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse — Applies when an owner or chauffeur of a vehicle uses or allows it to be used for prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse, or to aid or promote such acts, with no minor victim involved.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (General use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse — Applies when an owner or chauffeur of a vehicle uses or allows it to be used for prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse, or to aid or promote such acts, with no minor victim involved.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor — Applies when an adult uses or allows a vehicle to be used for or to aid or promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 18.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor — Applies when an adult uses or allows a vehicle to be used for or to aid or promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 18.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| General use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when an owner or chauffeur of a vehicle uses or allows it to be used for prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse, or to aid or promote such acts, with no minor victim involved. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349undefined |
| Use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor | Class 6 Felony | Applies when an adult uses or allows a vehicle to be used for or to aid or promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 18. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349undefined |
Common questions about using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse in Virginia
Is using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349.
General use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349) · Use of vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349)
What are the penalties for using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse in Virginia?
Penalties for using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse?
Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-349 (Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse; penalty).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.