{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-372.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-372.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-372.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-372.html"}],"law_id":81551,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81551,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"&#8220;Obscene&#8221; defined","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-227; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"The word &#8220;obscene&#8221; where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":292100,"text":"The word &#8220;obscene&#8221; where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14633,"edition_id":1,"name":"Obscenity and Related Offenses","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:00","permalink":{"id":167843,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14633,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/8\/5","url":"\/18.2\/8\/5\/","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":81551,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","url":"\/18.2-372\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-372","metadata":false},{"id":86006,"structure_id":14633,"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":82506,"structure_id":14633,"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":61326,"structure_id":14633,"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":63653,"structure_id":14633,"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":83319,"structure_id":14633,"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":83624,"structure_id":14633,"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":77778,"structure_id":14633,"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":56184,"structure_id":14633,"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":82785,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-375","catch_line":"Obscene exhibitions and performances","url":"\/18.2-375\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-375","metadata":false},{"id":83162,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-376","catch_line":"Advertising, etc., obscene items, exhibitions or performances","url":"\/18.2-376\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-376","metadata":false},{"id":67022,"structure_id":14633,"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":59750,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-377","catch_line":"Placards, posters, bills, etc","url":"\/18.2-377\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-377","metadata":false},{"id":84687,"structure_id":14633,"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":false},{"id":67563,"structure_id":14633,"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":81187,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-380","catch_line":"Punishment for first offense","url":"\/18.2-380\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-380","metadata":false},{"id":64773,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-381","catch_line":"Punishment for subsequent offenses; additional penalty for owner","url":"\/18.2-381\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-381","metadata":false},{"id":72092,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-382","catch_line":"Photographs, slides and motion pictures","url":"\/18.2-382\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-382","metadata":false},{"id":70160,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-383","catch_line":"Exceptions to application of article","url":"\/18.2-383\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-383","metadata":false},{"id":66727,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-384","catch_line":"Proceeding against book alleged to be obscene","url":"\/18.2-384\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-384","metadata":false},{"id":74201,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-385","catch_line":"Section 18.2-384 applicable to motion picture films","url":"\/18.2-385\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-385","metadata":false},{"id":72244,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-386","catch_line":"Showing previews of certain motion pictures","url":"\/18.2-386\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-386","metadata":false},{"id":79274,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-386.1","catch_line":"Unlawful creation of image of another; 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It has been modified 2 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 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64538,"section_number":"15.2-926.2","catch_line":"Adoption of ordinances prohibiting obscenity","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-926.2\/"},{"id":85805,"section_number":"16.1-123.1","catch_line":"Criminal and traffic jurisdiction of general district courts","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-123.1\/"},{"id":68045,"section_number":"18.2-361.01","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-361.01\/"},{"id":61326,"section_number":"18.2-374.1","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography; presumption as to age","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374.1\/"},{"id":66727,"section_number":"18.2-384","catch_line":"Proceeding against book alleged to be obscene","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-384\/"},{"id":69532,"section_number":"18.2-386.2","catch_line":"Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-386.2\/"},{"id":80972,"section_number":"18.2-387.1","catch_line":"Obscene sexual display; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-387.1\/"},{"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\/"},{"id":58613,"section_number":"22.1-315","catch_line":"Grounds and procedure for suspension","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-315\/"},{"id":62812,"section_number":"22.1-70.2","catch_line":"Acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-70.2\/"},{"id":56780,"section_number":"4.1-225","catch_line":"Grounds for which Board may suspend or revoke licenses; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-225\/"},{"id":61990,"section_number":"42.1-36.1","catch_line":"Power and duty of library boards and certain governing bodies regarding acceptable Internet use policies","order_by":null,"url":"\/42.1-36.1\/"},{"id":65557,"section_number":"46.2-1077.01","catch_line":"Display of certain visual material in motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1077.01\/"},{"id":83752,"section_number":"53.1-10","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-10\/"},{"id":63586,"section_number":"53.1-202.3","catch_line":"Rate at which sentence credits may be earned; prerequisites","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-202.3\/"},{"id":58640,"section_number":"53.1-40.02","catch_line":"Conditional release of terminally ill prisoners","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.02\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":167845,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81551,"identifier":"18.2-372","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-372","url":"\/18.2-372\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-372\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-372","dublin_core":{"Title":"&#8220;Obscene&#8221; defined","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-372","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The word &#8220;obscene&#8221; where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an <span class=\"dictionary\">appeal<\/span> to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n&#8220;OBSCENE&#8221; DEFINED (\u00a7 18.2-372)\n\nThe word &#8220;obscene&#8221; where it appears in this article shall mean that\nwhich, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to\nthe prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity,\nsexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or\nsadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of\ncandor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a\nwhole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-227; 1960, c. 233; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","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}}