Virginia legal term
Knowingly in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Knowingly” 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 “Knowingly” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Knowingly" means having general knowledge of, or reason to know, or a belief or ground for belief which warrants further inspection or inquiry of both (a) the character and content of any material described herein which is reasonably susceptible of examination by the defendant, and (b) the age of the juvenile, provided however, that an honest mistake shall constitute an excuse from liability hereunder if the defendant made a reasonable bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of such juvenile. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-390)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assisting individuals in unlawfully procuring prescription drugs
- Certain premises deemed common nuisance
- Counterfeit cigarettes
- Criminal background check required for employees of a gun dealer to transfer firearms
- Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer
- False emergency communication to emergency personnel
- Falsely summoning or giving false reports to law-enforcement officials
- Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine
- Obstructing justice
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service without payment
- Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited
- Prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.