Virginia criminal charge
Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in Virginia
Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63. 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. § 18.2-63.
What is the penalty for carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 10 years (Carnal knowledge without force (adult accused) — Any person carnally knows, without force, a child thirteen or older but under fifteen years of age.) | mandatory | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $100,000 (Carnal knowledge without force (adult accused) — Any person carnally knows, without force, a child thirteen or older but under fifteen years of age.; only together with imprisonment (§ 18.2-10(g))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim 3+ years younger — Accused is a minor and the consenting child victim (13-15) is three years or more younger than the accused.; 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 (Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim 3+ years younger — Accused is a minor and the consenting child victim (13-15) is three years or more younger than the accused.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $250 (Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim less than 3 years younger — Accused is a minor and the consenting child victim (13-15) is less than three years younger than the accused.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(d))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnal knowledge without force (adult accused) | Class 4 Felony | Any person carnally knows, without force, a child thirteen or older but under fifteen years of age. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63A |
| Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim 3+ years younger | Class 6 Felony | Accused is a minor and the consenting child victim (13-15) is three years or more younger than the accused. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63B |
| Carnal knowledge by minor accused, victim less than 3 years younger | Class 4 Misdemeanor | Accused is a minor and the consenting child victim (13-15) is less than three years younger than the accused. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63B |
Common questions about carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in Virginia
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)
What are the penalties for carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in Virginia?
Penalties for carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 4 misdemeanor up to a class 4 felony — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 and Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
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).
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.