Virginia legal term
Physical helplessness in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Physical helplessness” 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 “Physical helplessness” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Physical helplessness" means unconsciousness or any other condition existing at the time of an offense under this article which otherwise rendered the complaining witness physically unable to communicate an unwillingness to act and about which the accused knew or should have known. 5. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-67.10)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.