{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-347.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-347.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-347.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-347.html"}],"law_id":85705,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85705,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; &#8220;bawdy place&#8221; defined; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 18.1-195, 18.1-196; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2019, c. 617.","full_text":"It is unlawful for any person to keep any bawdy place, or to reside in or at or visit for immoral purposes any such bawdy place. Each day such bawdy place is kept, resided in, or visited shall constitute a separate offense. In a prosecution under this section, the general reputation of the bawdy place may be proved. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAs used in this Code, &#8220;bawdy place&#8221; means any place within or outside any building or structure that is used or is to be used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":306982,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to keep any bawdy place, or to reside in or at or visit for immoral purposes any such bawdy place. Each day such bawdy place is kept, resided in, or visited shall constitute a separate offense. In a prosecution under this section, the general reputation of the bawdy place may be proved. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAs used in this Code, &#8220;bawdy place&#8221; means any place within or outside any building or structure that is used or is to be used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14023,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, etc","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167659,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14023,"identifier":"3","token":"18.2\/8\/3","url":"\/18.2\/8\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14022,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14022,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55113,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-344","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-344\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-344","metadata":false},{"id":68451,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-345","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-345\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-345","metadata":false},{"id":79810,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346","catch_line":"Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346","metadata":false},{"id":57611,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.01","catch_line":"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.01","metadata":false},{"id":77563,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.1","catch_line":"Testing of convicted prostitutes and injection drug users for sexually transmitted infection","url":"\/18.2-346.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.1","metadata":false},{"id":85705,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; \"bawdy place\" defined; penalty","url":"\/18.2-347\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-347","metadata":false},{"id":83161,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348","catch_line":"Aiding prostitution or illicit sexual intercourse, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348","metadata":false},{"id":85373,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348.1","catch_line":"Promoting travel for prostitution; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348.1","metadata":false},{"id":85342,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-349","catch_line":"Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse; penalty","url":"\/18.2-349\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-349","metadata":false},{"id":72571,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-350","catch_line":"Confinement of convicted prostitutes and persons violating \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-347 through 18.2-349","url":"\/18.2-350\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-350","metadata":false},{"id":62371,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-351","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-351\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-351","metadata":false},{"id":57027,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-354","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/18.2-354\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-354","metadata":false},{"id":57212,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-355","catch_line":"Taking, detaining, etc., person for prostitution, etc., or consenting thereto; human trafficking","url":"\/18.2-355\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-355","metadata":false},{"id":59657,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356","catch_line":"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356","metadata":false},{"id":81938,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356.1","catch_line":"Purchasing or selling of minors; exceptions; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356.1","metadata":false},{"id":62200,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357","catch_line":"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357","metadata":false},{"id":76497,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357.1","catch_line":"Commercial sex trafficking; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357.1","metadata":false},{"id":59589,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-358","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-358\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-358","metadata":false},{"id":71784,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-359","catch_line":"Venue for criminal sexual assault or where any person transported for criminal sexual assault, attempted criminal sexual assault, or purposes of unlawful sexual intercourse, crimes against nature, and indecent liberties with children; venue for such crimes when coupled with a violent felony","url":"\/18.2-359\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-359","metadata":false},{"id":61388,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-360","catch_line":"Competency of persons to testify in prosecutions under \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-355 through 18.2-361","url":"\/18.2-360\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-360","metadata":false},{"id":55287,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361","catch_line":"Crimes against nature; penalty","url":"\/18.2-361\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361","metadata":false},{"id":68045,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.01","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","url":"\/18.2-361.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.01","metadata":false},{"id":71996,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.1","catch_line":"Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense","url":"\/18.2-361.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77563,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.1","catch_line":"Testing of convicted prostitutes and injection drug users for sexually transmitted infection","url":"\/18.2-346.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83161,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348","catch_line":"Aiding prostitution or illicit sexual intercourse, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-347\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 2019, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0617\">617<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71776,"section_number":"15.2-908.1","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures harboring a bawdy place","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-908.1\/"},{"id":68420,"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":72571,"section_number":"18.2-350","catch_line":"Confinement of convicted prostitutes and persons violating \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-347 through 18.2-349","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-350\/"},{"id":71996,"section_number":"18.2-361.1","catch_line":"Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-361.1\/"},{"id":66060,"section_number":"18.2-371","catch_line":"Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-371\/"},{"id":87357,"section_number":"19.2-10.2","catch_line":"Administrative subpoena issued for record from provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-10.2\/"},{"id":58970,"section_number":"19.2-327.15","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.15\/"},{"id":60983,"section_number":"19.2-386.16","catch_line":"Forfeiture of motor vehicles used in commission of certain crimes","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.16\/"},{"id":79782,"section_number":"19.2-386.35","catch_line":"Seizure of property used in connection with certain offenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.35\/"},{"id":74660,"section_number":"19.2-392.12","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":167681,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85705,"identifier":"18.2-347","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-347","url":"\/18.2-347\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-347\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-347","dublin_core":{"Title":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; &#8220;bawdy place&#8221; defined; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-347","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>It is unlawful for any person to keep any <span class=\"dictionary\">bawdy place<\/span>, or to reside in or at or visit for immoral purposes any such <span class=\"dictionary\">bawdy place<\/span>. Each day such <span class=\"dictionary\">bawdy place<\/span> is kept, resided in, or visited shall constitute a separate <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>. In a <span class=\"dictionary\">prosecution<\/span> under this section, the general reputation of the <span class=\"dictionary\">bawdy place<\/span> may be proved. A violation of this section is a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.\n\t\tAs used in this Code, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">bawdy place<\/span>&#8221; means any place within or outside any building or structure that is used or is to be used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nKEEPING, RESIDING IN, OR FREQUENTING A BAWDY PLACE; &#8220;BAWDY PLACE&#8221;\nDEFINED; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-347)\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to keep any bawdy place, or to reside in or at or\nvisit for immoral purposes any such bawdy place. Each day such bawdy place is\nkept, resided in, or visited shall constitute a separate offense. In a\nprosecution under this section, the general reputation of the bawdy place may be\nproved. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAs used in this Code, &#8220;bawdy place&#8221; means any place within or\noutside any building or structure that is used or is to be used for lewdness,\nassignation, or prostitution.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 18.1-195, 18.1-196; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15;\n2019, c. 617.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}