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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63 — Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 7: Criminal Sexual Assault, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
A. If any person carnally knows, without the use of force, a child thirteen years of age or older but under fifteen years of age, such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. B. If any person carnally knows, without the use of force, a child thirteen years of age or older but under fifteen years of age who consents to sexual intercourse and the accused is a minor and such consenting child is three years or more the accused's junior, the accused shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. If such consenting child is less than three years the accused's junior, the accused shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. In calculating whether such child is three years or more a junior of the accused minor, the actual dates of birth of the child and the accused, respectively, shall be used. C. For the purposes of this section, (i) a child under the age of thirteen years shall not be considered a consenting child and (ii) "carnal knowledge" includes the acts of sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, and animate and inanimate object sexual penetration.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age ranges from a class 4 misdemeanor to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63.

Carnal knowledge without force (adult accused): class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63A) · Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim 3+ years younger: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63B) · Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim less than 3 years younger: class 4 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63B)

Which Virginia statute covers carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age?

Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63 (Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.