{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-268.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-268.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-268.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-268.3.html"}],"law_id":64807,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64807,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268.3","catch_line":"Admissibility of statements by children in certain cases","history":"2016, cc. 542, 553; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, &#8220;offense against children&#8221; means a violation or an attempt to violate &#xA7; 18.2-31, 18.2-32, or 18.2-35, subsection A of &#xA7; 18.2-47, &#xA7; 18.2-48, 18.2-51, 18.2-51.2, 18.2-51.6, 18.2-52, 18.2-54.1, 18.2-54.2, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, or 18.2-67.3, &#xA7; 18.2-346.01 if punishable as a felony, &#xA7; 18.2-355, 18.2-356, 18.2-357, or 18.2-357.1, subsection B of &#xA7; 18.2-361, subsection B of &#xA7; 18.2-366, &#xA7; 18.2-370, 18.2-370.1, 18.2-371.1, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-374.3, or 18.2-374.4, &#xA7; 18.2-386.1 if punishable as a felony, or &#xA7; 40.1-103.B\n\nAn out-of-court statement made by a child who is under 13 years of age at the time of trial or hearing who is the alleged victim of an offense against children describing any act directed against the child relating to such alleged offense shall not be excluded as hearsay under Rule 2:802 of the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia if both of the following apply:1\n\nThe court finds, in a hearing conducted prior to a trial, that the time, content, and totality of circumstances surrounding the statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability so as to render it inherently trustworthy. In determining such trustworthiness, the court may consider, among other things, the following factors:\n\t\t\t\ta. The child&#8217;s personal knowledge of the event;\n\t\t\t\tb. The age, maturity, and mental state of the child;\n\t\t\t\tc. The credibility of the person testifying about the statement;\n\t\t\t\td. Any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event, including bias or coercion;\n\t\t\t\te. Whether the child was suffering pain or distress when making the statement; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant&#8217;s opportunity to commit the act; and2\n\nThe child:\n\t\t\t\ta. Testifies; or\n\t\t\t\tb. Is declared by the court to be unavailable as a witness; when the child has been declared unavailable, such statement may be admitted pursuant to this section only if there is corroborative evidence of the act relating to an alleged offense against children.C\n\nAt least 14 days prior to the commencement of the proceeding in which a statement will be offered as evidence, the party intending to offer the statement shall notify the opposing party, in writing, of the intent to offer the statement and shall provide or make available copies of the statement to be introduced.D\n\nThis section shall not be construed to limit the admission of any statement offered under any other hearsay exception or applicable rule of evidence.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":235873,"text":"As used in this section, &#8220;offense against children&#8221; means a violation or an attempt to violate &#xA7; 18.2-31, 18.2-32, or 18.2-35, subsection A of &#xA7; 18.2-47, &#xA7; 18.2-48, 18.2-51, 18.2-51.2, 18.2-51.6, 18.2-52, 18.2-54.1, 18.2-54.2, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, or 18.2-67.3, &#xA7; 18.2-346.01 if punishable as a felony, &#xA7; 18.2-355, 18.2-356, 18.2-357, or 18.2-357.1, subsection B of &#xA7; 18.2-361, subsection B of &#xA7; 18.2-366, &#xA7; 18.2-370, 18.2-370.1, 18.2-371.1, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-374.3, or 18.2-374.4, &#xA7; 18.2-386.1 if punishable as a felony, or &#xA7; 40.1-103.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":235874,"text":"An out-of-court statement made by a child who is under 13 years of age at the time of trial or hearing who is the alleged victim of an offense against children describing any act directed against the child relating to such alleged offense shall not be excluded as hearsay under Rule 2:802 of the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia if both of the following apply:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":235875,"text":"The court finds, in a hearing conducted prior to a trial, that the time, content, and totality of circumstances surrounding the statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability so as to render it inherently trustworthy. In determining such trustworthiness, the court may consider, among other things, the following factors:\n\t\t\t\ta. The child&#8217;s personal knowledge of the event;\n\t\t\t\tb. The age, maturity, and mental state of the child;\n\t\t\t\tc. The credibility of the person testifying about the statement;\n\t\t\t\td. Any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event, including bias or coercion;\n\t\t\t\te. Whether the child was suffering pain or distress when making the statement; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant&#8217;s opportunity to commit the act; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":235876,"text":"The child:\n\t\t\t\ta. Testifies; or\n\t\t\t\tb. Is declared by the court to be unavailable as a witness; when the child has been declared unavailable, such statement may be admitted pursuant to this section only if there is corroborative evidence of the act relating to an alleged offense against children.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":235877,"text":"At least 14 days prior to the commencement of the proceeding in which a statement will be offered as evidence, the party intending to offer the statement shall notify the opposing party, in writing, of the intent to offer the statement and shall provide or make available copies of the statement to be introduced.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":235878,"text":"This section shall not be construed to limit the admission of any statement offered under any other hearsay exception or applicable rule of evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12962,"edition_id":1,"name":"In General","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12961,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":169213,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12962,"identifier":"1","token":"19.2\/16\/1","url":"\/19.2\/16\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12961,"edition_id":1,"name":"Evidence and Witnesses","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":169211,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12961,"identifier":"16","token":"19.2\/16","url":"\/19.2\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70616,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-267","catch_line":"Provisions applicable to witnesses in criminal as well as civil cases; obligation to attend; summons","url":"\/19.2-267\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-267","metadata":false},{"id":80018,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-267.1","catch_line":"Authority of law-enforcement officer to issue summons to witness; failure to appear","url":"\/19.2-267.1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-267.1","metadata":false},{"id":58922,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-267.2","catch_line":"Response to subpoena for information stored in electronic format","url":"\/19.2-267.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-267.2","metadata":false},{"id":83006,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268","catch_line":"Right of accused to testify","url":"\/19.2-268\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268","metadata":false},{"id":72787,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268.1","catch_line":"Contradiction by prior inconsistent writing (Subdivision (b)(i) of Supreme Court Rule 2:613 derived in part from this section)","url":"\/19.2-268.1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.1","metadata":false},{"id":76061,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268.2","catch_line":"Recent complaint hearsay exception (Subdivision (23) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-268.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.2","metadata":false},{"id":64807,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268.3","catch_line":"Admissibility of statements by children in certain cases","url":"\/19.2-268.3\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.3","metadata":false},{"id":79860,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-269","catch_line":"Convicts as witnesses (Supreme Court Rule 2:609 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-269\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-269","metadata":false},{"id":77666,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-269.1","catch_line":"Inmates as witnesses in criminal cases","url":"\/19.2-269.1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-269.1","metadata":false},{"id":67973,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-269.2","catch_line":"Nondisclosure of addresses or telephone numbers of crime victims and witnesses","url":"\/19.2-269.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-269.2","metadata":false},{"id":63323,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270","catch_line":"When statement by accused as witness not received as evidence","url":"\/19.2-270\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270","metadata":false},{"id":86326,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.1","catch_line":"Use of photographs as evidence in certain larceny and burglary prosecutions","url":"\/19.2-270.1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.1","metadata":false},{"id":86031,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.1:1","catch_line":"Computer and electronic data in obscenity, etc. cases; access to defendant","url":"\/19.2-270.1_1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":54053,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.2","catch_line":"Disposition of money, securities or documents seized upon arrest, etc., and pertinent as evidence","url":"\/19.2-270.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.2","metadata":false},{"id":79537,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.3","catch_line":"Admissible evidence as to identity of party presenting bad check, draft or order","url":"\/19.2-270.3\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.3","metadata":false},{"id":59185,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.4","catch_line":"When donation, destruction, or return of exhibits received in evidence authorized","url":"\/19.2-270.4\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.4","metadata":false},{"id":58746,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.4:1","catch_line":"Storage, preservation and retention of human biological evidence in felony cases","url":"\/19.2-270.4_1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":73612,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.5","catch_line":"DNA profile admissible in criminal proceeding","url":"\/19.2-270.5\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.5","metadata":false},{"id":78047,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.6","catch_line":"Evidence of abuse admissible in certain criminal trials (Supreme Court Rule 2:409 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-270.6\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.6","metadata":false},{"id":58400,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-270.7","catch_line":"Determining decibel level of sound with proper equipment; certificate as to accuracy of equipment","url":"\/19.2-270.7\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-270.7","metadata":false},{"id":82522,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271","catch_line":"Certain judicial officers incompetent to testify under certain circumstances; exceptions (Supreme Court Rule 2:605 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-271\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271","metadata":false},{"id":74995,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.1","catch_line":"Competency of spouses to testify","url":"\/19.2-271.1\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.1","metadata":false},{"id":66486,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.2","catch_line":"Testimony of spouses in criminal cases (Subsection (b) of Supreme Court Rule 2:504 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-271.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.2","metadata":false},{"id":54753,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.3","catch_line":"Communications between ministers of religion and persons they counsel or advise (Supreme Court Rule 2:503 derived in part from this section)","url":"\/19.2-271.3\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.3","metadata":false},{"id":74779,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.4","catch_line":"Privileged communications by certain public safety personnel","url":"\/19.2-271.4\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.4","metadata":false},{"id":55255,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.5","catch_line":"Protected information; newspersons engaged in journalism","url":"\/19.2-271.5\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.5","metadata":false},{"id":58525,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.6","catch_line":"Evidence of defendant's mental condition admissible; notice to Commonwealth","url":"\/19.2-271.6\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.6","metadata":false},{"id":63925,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-271.7","catch_line":"Notifying defendant of consequences criminal proceedings can have on immigration","url":"\/19.2-271.7\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-271.7","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":76061,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-268.2","catch_line":"Recent complaint hearsay exception (Subdivision (23) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-268.2\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79860,"structure_id":12962,"section_number":"19.2-269","catch_line":"Convicts as witnesses (Supreme Court Rule 2:609 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-269\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-269","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-268.3\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2016. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0542\">542<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0553\">553<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":79946,"section_number":"18.2-31","catch_line":"Aggravated murder defined; punishment","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-31\/"},{"id":57602,"section_number":"18.2-32","catch_line":"First and second degree murder defined; punishment","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-32\/"},{"id":57611,"section_number":"18.2-346.01","catch_line":"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-346.01\/"},{"id":70478,"section_number":"18.2-35","catch_line":"How voluntary manslaughter punished","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-35\/"},{"id":57212,"section_number":"18.2-355","catch_line":"Taking, detaining, etc., person for prostitution, etc., or consenting thereto; human trafficking","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-355\/"},{"id":59657,"section_number":"18.2-356","catch_line":"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-356\/"},{"id":62200,"section_number":"18.2-357","catch_line":"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-357\/"},{"id":76497,"section_number":"18.2-357.1","catch_line":"Commercial sex trafficking; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-357.1\/"},{"id":55287,"section_number":"18.2-361","catch_line":"Crimes against nature; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-361\/"},{"id":76153,"section_number":"18.2-366","catch_line":"Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-366\/"},{"id":60265,"section_number":"18.2-370","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-370\/"},{"id":80307,"section_number":"18.2-370.1","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-370.1\/"},{"id":65049,"section_number":"18.2-371.1","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-371.1\/"},{"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":63653,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:1","catch_line":"Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374.1_1\/"},{"id":77778,"section_number":"18.2-374.3","catch_line":"Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374.3\/"},{"id":56184,"section_number":"18.2-374.4","catch_line":"Display of child pornography or grooming video or materials to a child unlawful; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374.4\/"},{"id":79274,"section_number":"18.2-386.1","catch_line":"Unlawful creation of image of another; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-386.1\/"},{"id":60862,"section_number":"18.2-47","catch_line":"Abduction and kidnapping defined; forced labor; punishment","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-47\/"},{"id":59389,"section_number":"18.2-48","catch_line":"Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-48\/"},{"id":72243,"section_number":"18.2-51","catch_line":"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-51\/"},{"id":68812,"section_number":"18.2-51.2","catch_line":"Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-51.2\/"},{"id":75920,"section_number":"18.2-51.6","catch_line":"Strangulation or suffocation of another; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-51.6\/"},{"id":60388,"section_number":"18.2-52","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-52\/"},{"id":58105,"section_number":"18.2-54.1","catch_line":"Attempts to poison","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-54.1\/"},{"id":66847,"section_number":"18.2-54.2","catch_line":"Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-54.2\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":73623,"section_number":"18.2-67.1","catch_line":"Forcible sodomy","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.1\/"},{"id":73072,"section_number":"18.2-67.2","catch_line":"Object sexual penetration; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.2\/"},{"id":85126,"section_number":"18.2-67.3","catch_line":"Aggravated sexual battery; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":169239,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64807,"identifier":"19.2-268.3","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.3","url":"\/19.2-268.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-268.3\/","token":"19.2\/16\/1\/19.2-268.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Admissibility of statements by children in certain cases","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-268.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this section, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">offense against children<\/span>&#8221; means a violation or an attempt to violate &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Aggravated murder defined; punishment\" href=\"\/18.2-31\/\">18.2-31<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"First and second degree murder defined; punishment\" href=\"\/18.2-32\/\">18.2-32<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"How voluntary manslaughter punished\" href=\"\/18.2-35\/\">18.2-35<\/a>, subsection A of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Abduction and kidnapping defined; forced labor; punishment\" href=\"\/18.2-47\/\">18.2-47<\/a>, &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose\" href=\"\/18.2-48\/\">18.2-48<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc\" href=\"\/18.2-51\/\">18.2-51<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Aggravated malicious wounding; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-51.2\/\">18.2-51.2<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Strangulation or suffocation of another; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-51.6\/\">18.2-51.6<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire\" href=\"\/18.2-52\/\">18.2-52<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Attempts to poison\" href=\"\/18.2-54.1\/\">18.2-54.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-54.2\/\">18.2-54.2<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Rape\" href=\"\/18.2-61\/\">18.2-61<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Forcible sodomy\" href=\"\/18.2-67.1\/\">18.2-67.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Object sexual penetration; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-67.2\/\">18.2-67.2<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Aggravated sexual battery; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-67.3\/\">18.2-67.3<\/a>, &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-346.01\/\">18.2-346.01<\/a> if punishable as a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>, &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Taking, detaining, etc., person for prostitution, etc., or consenting thereto; human trafficking\" href=\"\/18.2-355\/\">18.2-355<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-356\/\">18.2-356<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-357\/\">18.2-357<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Commercial sex trafficking; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-357.1\/\">18.2-357.1<\/a>, subsection B of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Crimes against nature; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-361\/\">18.2-361<\/a>, subsection B of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-366\/\">18.2-366<\/a>, &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-370\/\">18.2-370<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-370.1\/\">18.2-370.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant\" href=\"\/18.2-371.1\/\">18.2-371.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography; presumption as to age\" href=\"\/18.2-374.1\/\">18.2-374.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-374.1_1\/\">18.2-374.1:1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; penalties\" href=\"\/18.2-374.3\/\">18.2-374.3<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Display of child pornography or grooming video or materials to a child unlawful; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-374.4\/\">18.2-374.4<\/a>, &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Unlawful creation of image of another; penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-386.1\/\">18.2-386.1<\/a> if punishable as a <span class=\"dictionary\">felony<\/span>, or &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Cruelty and injuries to children; penalty; abandoned infant\" href=\"\/40.1-103\/\">40.1-103<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-235873\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> An out-of-<span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> statement made by a child who is under 13 years of age at the time of <span class=\"dictionary\">trial<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> who is the alleged victim of an <span class=\"dictionary\">offense against children<\/span> describing any act directed against the child relating to such alleged offense shall not be excluded as <span class=\"dictionary\">hearsay<\/span> under Rule 2:802 of the Rules of Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> of Virginia if both of the following apply: <a id=\"paragraph-235874\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> finds, in a <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> conducted prior to a <span class=\"dictionary\">trial<\/span>, that the time, content, and totality of circumstances surrounding the statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability so as to render it inherently trustworthy. In determining such trustworthiness, the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may consider, among other things, the following factors:\n\t\t\t\ta. The child&#8217;s personal knowledge of the event;\n\t\t\t\tb. The age, maturity, and mental state of the child;\n\t\t\t\tc. The credibility of the person testifying about the statement;\n\t\t\t\td. Any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event, including bias or coercion;\n\t\t\t\te. Whether the child was suffering pain or distress when making the statement; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Whether extrinsic <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> exists to show the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span>&#8217;s opportunity to commit the act; and <a id=\"paragraph-235875\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The child:\n\t\t\t\ta. Testifies; or\n\t\t\t\tb. Is declared by the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to be unavailable as a <span class=\"dictionary\">witness<\/span>; when the child has been declared unavailable, such statement may be admitted pursuant to this section only if there is corroborative <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of the act relating to an alleged <span class=\"dictionary\">offense against children<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-235876\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> At least 14 days prior to the commencement of the proceeding in which a statement will be offered as <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> intending to offer the statement shall notify the opposing <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span>, in writing, of the <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to offer the statement and shall provide or make available copies of the statement to be introduced. <a id=\"paragraph-235877\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> This section shall not be construed to limit the admission of any statement offered under any other <span class=\"dictionary\">hearsay<\/span> exception or applicable rule of <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-235878\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/19.2-268.3\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADMISSIBILITY OF STATEMENTS BY CHILDREN IN CERTAIN CASES (\u00a7 19.2-268.3)\n\nA. As used in this section, &#8220;offense against children&#8221; means a\nviolation or an attempt to violate &#xA7; 18.2-31, 18.2-32, or 18.2-35,\nsubsection A of &#xA7; 18.2-47, &#xA7; 18.2-48, 18.2-51, 18.2-51.2, 18.2-51.6,\n18.2-52, 18.2-54.1, 18.2-54.2, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, or 18.2-67.3,\n&#xA7; 18.2-346.01 if punishable as a felony, &#xA7; 18.2-355, 18.2-356,\n18.2-357, or 18.2-357.1, subsection B of &#xA7; 18.2-361, subsection B of &#xA7;\n18.2-366, &#xA7; 18.2-370, 18.2-370.1, 18.2-371.1, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1,\n18.2-374.3, or 18.2-374.4, &#xA7; 18.2-386.1 if punishable as a felony, or\n&#xA7; 40.1-103.\n\nB. An out-of-court statement made by a child who is under 13 years of age at the\ntime of trial or hearing who is the alleged victim of an offense against\nchildren describing any act directed against the child relating to such alleged\noffense shall not be excluded as hearsay under Rule 2:802 of the Rules of\nSupreme Court of Virginia if both of the following apply:\n\n   1. The court finds, in a hearing conducted prior to a trial, that the time,\n   content, and totality of circumstances surrounding the statement provide\n   sufficient indicia of reliability so as to render it inherently trustworthy.\n   In determining such trustworthiness, the court may consider, among other\n   things, the following factors:\n   \t\t\t\ta. The child&#8217;s personal knowledge of the event;\n   \t\t\t\tb. The age, maturity, and mental state of the child;\n   \t\t\t\tc. The credibility of the person testifying about the statement;\n   \t\t\t\td. Any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event,\n   including bias or coercion;\n   \t\t\t\te. Whether the child was suffering pain or distress when making the\n   statement; and\n   \t\t\t\tf. Whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant&#8217;s\n   opportunity to commit the act; and\n\n   2. The child:\n   \t\t\t\ta. Testifies; or\n   \t\t\t\tb. Is declared by the court to be unavailable as a witness; when the child\n   has been declared unavailable, such statement may be admitted pursuant to this\n   section only if there is corroborative evidence of the act relating to an\n   alleged offense against children.\n\nC. At least 14 days prior to the commencement of the proceeding in which a\nstatement will be offered as evidence, the party intending to offer the\nstatement shall notify the opposing party, in writing, of the intent to offer\nthe statement and shall provide or make available copies of the statement to be\nintroduced.\n\nD. This section shall not be construed to limit the admission of any statement\noffered under any other hearsay exception or applicable rule of evidence.\n\nHISTORY: 2016, cc. 542, 553; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188.","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}}