Virginia legal term
Intimate partner in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Intimate partner” 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 “Intimate partner” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Intimate partner" means an individual who, within the previous 12 months, was in a romantic, dating, or sexual relationship with the person as determined by the length, nature, frequency, and type of interaction between the individuals involved in the relationship. (Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-228)
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.