Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-417 — Slander and libel
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 3: Abusive and Insulting Language, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-417
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.
Any person who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish, of and concerning any person of chaste character, any words derogatory of such person's character for virtue and chastity, or imputing to such person acts not virtuous and chaste, or who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish, of and concerning another person, any words which from their usual construction and common acceptation are construed as insults and tend to violence and breach of the peace or who shall use grossly insulting language to any person of good character or reputation is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
The defendant shall be entitled to prove upon trial in mitigation of the punishment, the provocation which induced the libelous or slanderous words, or any other fact or circumstance tending to disprove malice, or lessen the criminality of the offense.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is slander and libel a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Slander and libel is a class 3 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-417.
Which Virginia statute covers slander and libel?
Slander and libel is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-417 (Slander and libel).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.