Virginia legal term
Complaining witness in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Complaining witness” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Complaining witness” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Complaining witness" means the person alleged to have been subjected to rape, forcible sodomy, inanimate or animate object sexual penetration, marital sexual assault, aggravated sexual battery, or sexual battery. 2. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-67.10)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.