{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-374.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-374.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-374.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-374.html"}],"law_id":350882,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350882,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-228; 1960, c. 233; 1962, c. 289; 1970, c. 204; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:\n\n1\n\nPrepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or\n\n2\n\nPrint, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes of sale or distribution; or\n\n3\n\nPublish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute or exhibit any obscene item, or offer to do any of these things; or\n\n4\n\nHave in his possession with intent to sell, rent, lend, transport, or distribute any obscene item. Possession in public or in a public place of any obscene item as defined in this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “distribute” shall mean delivery in person, by mail, messenger or by any other means by which obscene items as defined in this article may pass from one person, firm or corporation to another.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307102,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1307103,"text":"Prepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1307104,"text":"Print, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes of sale or distribution; or","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1307105,"text":"Publish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute or exhibit any obscene item, or offer to do any of these things; or","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1307106,"text":"Have in his possession with intent to sell, rent, lend, transport, or distribute any obscene item. Possession in public or in a public place of any obscene item as defined in this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “distribute” shall mean delivery in person, by mail, messenger or by any other means by which obscene items as defined in this article may pass from one person, firm or corporation to another.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50183,"edition_id":2,"name":"Obscenity and Related Offenses","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50176,"metadata":{"child_laws":28,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:24","permalink":{"id":1394845,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50183,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/8\/5","url":"\/18.2\/8\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50176,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":145,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:01","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:23","permalink":{"id":1394395,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50176,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350874,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","url":"\/18.2-372\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-372","metadata":false},{"id":350875,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-373","catch_line":"Obscene items enumerated","url":"\/18.2-373\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-373","metadata":false},{"id":350882,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items","url":"\/18.2-374\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374","metadata":false},{"id":350876,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.1","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography; presumption as to age","url":"\/18.2-374.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1","metadata":false},{"id":350877,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:1","catch_line":"Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty","url":"\/18.2-374.1_1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":350878,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-374.1_2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":350879,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-374.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.2","metadata":false},{"id":350880,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.3","catch_line":"Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; penalties","url":"\/18.2-374.3\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.3","metadata":false},{"id":350881,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-374.4","catch_line":"Display of child pornography or grooming video or materials to a child unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-374.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.4","metadata":false},{"id":350883,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-375","catch_line":"Obscene exhibitions and performances","url":"\/18.2-375\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-375","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Tjan v. 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","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350884,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-376.1","catch_line":"Enhanced penalties for using a computer in certain violations","url":"\/18.2-376.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-376.1","metadata":false},{"id":350886,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-377","catch_line":"Placards, posters, bills, etc","url":"\/18.2-377\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-377","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":350887,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-378","catch_line":"Coercing acceptance of obscene articles or publications","url":"\/18.2-378\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-378","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":350888,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-379","catch_line":"Employing or permitting minor to assist in offense under article","url":"\/18.2-379\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-379","metadata":false},{"id":350890,"structure_id":50183,"section_number":"18.2-380","catch_line":"Punishment for first offense","url":"\/18.2-380\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-380","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"United States v. Charles Ray Allen","case_number":"94-5036","citation":"37 F.3d 1496","date":"1994-10-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/680319\/united-states-v-charles-ray-allen\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 37 F.3d 1496NOTICE: Fourth Circuit I.O.P. 36.6 states that citation of unpublished dispositions is .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Alger v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 030848","citation":"590 S.E.2d 563","date":"2004-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1059158\/alger-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 590 S.E.2d 563 (2004) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"McMillan v. Commonwealth","case_number":"2074072","citation":"686 S.E.2d 525","date":"2009-12-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062294\/mcmillan-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PETTY, J., with whom ALSTON, J., .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Croatan Books, Inc. v. Com. of Va.","case_number":"Civ. A. 83-0379-R","citation":"574 F. Supp. 880","date":"1983-11-04","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1867217\/croatan-books-inc-v-com-of-va\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 574 F.Supp. 880 (1983) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. 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The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 233; in 1962, chapter 289; in 1970, chapter 204; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":[{"id":349868,"section_number":"16.1-69.55","catch_line":"Retention of case records; limitations on enforcement of judgments; extensions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.55\/"},{"id":350884,"section_number":"18.2-376.1","catch_line":"Enhanced penalties for using a computer in certain violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-376.1\/"},{"id":350890,"section_number":"18.2-380","catch_line":"Punishment for first offense","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-380\/"},{"id":350891,"section_number":"18.2-381","catch_line":"Punishment for subsequent offenses; additional penalty for owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-381\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1394855,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350882,"identifier":"18.2-374","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374","url":"\/18.2-374\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-374\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374","dublin_core":{"Title":"Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-374","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Prepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Print, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes of sale or distribution; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Publish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute<\/span> or exhibit any obscene item, or offer to do any of these things; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Have in his possession<\/span> with intent<\/span> to sell, rent, lend, transport, or distribute<\/span> any obscene item. Possession<\/span> in public or in a public place of any obscene item as defined in this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence<\/span> of a violation of this section.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “distribute<\/span>” shall mean delivery in person, by mail, messenger or by any other means by which obscene items as defined in this article may pass from one person, firm or corporation to another. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRODUCTION, PUBLICATION, SALE, POSSESSION, ETC., OF OBSCENE ITEMS (\u00a7 18.2-374)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:\n\n1. Prepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or\n\n2. Print, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes\nof sale or distribution; or\n\n3. Publish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute or\nexhibit any obscene item, or offer to do any of these things; or\n\n4. Have in his possession with intent to sell, rent, lend, transport, or\ndistribute any obscene item. Possession in public or in a public place of any\nobscene item as defined in this article shall be deemed prima facie evidence of\na violation of this section.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “distribute” shall mean\ndelivery in person, by mail, messenger or by any other means by which obscene\nitems as defined in this article may pass from one person, firm or corporation\nto another.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-228; 1960, c. 233; 1962, c. 289; 1970, c. 204; 1975,\ncc. 14, 15.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}