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§ 18.2-372. “Obscene” defined

The word “obscene” 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 […]

§ 18.2-373. Obscene items enumerated

Obscene items shall include: (1) Any obscene book; (2) Any obscene leaflet, pamphlet, magazine, booklet, picture, painting, bumper sticker, drawing, photograph, film, negative, slide, motion picture, videotape recording; (3) Any obscene figure, object, article, instrument, novelty device, or recording or transcription used or intended to be used in disseminating any obscene song, ballad, words, or […]

§ 18.2-374. Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to: (1) Prepare any obscene item for the purposes of sale or distribution; or (2) Print, copy, manufacture, produce, or reproduce any obscene item for purposes of sale or distribution; or (3) Publish, sell, rent, lend, transport in intrastate commerce, or distribute or exhibit any obscene item, […]

§ 18.2-374.3. Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children

A. As used in subsections C, D, and E, “use a communications system” means making personal contact or direct contact through any agent or agency, any print medium, the United States mail, any common carrier or communication common carrier, any electronic communications system, the Internet, or any telecommunications, wire, computer network, or radio communications system. […]

§ 18.2-375. Obscene exhibitions and performances

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to: (1) Produce, promote, prepare, present, manage, direct, carry on or participate in, any obscene exhibitions or performances, including the exhibition or performance of any obscene motion picture, play, drama, show, entertainment, exposition, tableau or scene; provided, that no employee of any person or legal entity operating […]

§ 18.2-376. Advertising, etc., obscene items, exhibitions or performances

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to prepare, print, publish, or circulate, or cause to be prepared, printed, published or circulated, any notice or advertisement of any obscene item proscribed in § 18.2-373, or of any obscene performance or exhibition proscribed in § 18.2-375, stating or indicating where such obscene item, exhibition, or […]

§ 18.2-376.1. Enhanced penalties for using a computer in certain violations

Any person who uses a computer in connection with a violation of §§ 18.2-374, 18.2-375, or § 18.2-376 is guilty of a separate and distinct Class 1 misdemeanor, and for a second or subsequent such offense within 10 years of a prior such offense is guilty of a Class 6 felony, the penalties to be […]

§ 18.2-377. Placards, posters, bills, etc.

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to expose, place, display, post up, exhibit, paint, print, or mark, or cause to be exposed, placed, displayed, posted, exhibited, painted, printed or marked, in or on any building, structure, billboard, wall or fence, or on any street, or in or upon any public place, any placard, […]

§ 18.2-378. Coercing acceptance of obscene articles or publications

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation, as a condition to any sale, allocation, consignment or delivery for resale of any paper, magazine, book, periodical or publication to require that the purchaser or consignee receive for resale any other article, book, or other publication which is obscene; nor shall any person, […]

§ 18.2-380. Punishment for first offense

Any person, firm, association or corporation convicted for the first time of an offense under §§ 18.2-374, 18.2-375, 18.2-376, 18.2-377, 18.2-378 or § 18.2-379, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Code 1950, § 18.1-235.1; 1968, c. 662; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1983, c. 412; 1985, c. 279.

§ 18.2-381. Punishment for subsequent offenses; additional penalty for owner

Any person, firm, association or corporation convicted of a second or other subsequent offense under § 18.2-374, 18.2-375, 18.2-376, 18.2-377, 18.2-378, or 18.2-379 is guilty of a Class 6 felony. However, if the person, firm, association or corporation convicted of such subsequent offense is the owner of the business establishment where each of the offenses […]

§ 18.2-382. Photographs, slides and motion pictures

Every person who knowingly: (1) Photographs himself or any other person, for purposes of preparing an obscene film, photograph, negative, slide or motion picture for purposes of sale or distribution; or (2) Models, poses, acts, or otherwise assists in the preparation of any obscene film, photograph, negative, slide or motion picture for purposes of sale […]

§ 18.2-383. Exceptions to application of article

Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to apply to: (1) The purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan of any book, magazine, or other printed or manuscript material by any library, school, or institution of higher education, supported by public appropriation; (2) The purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan of any work of art by any […]

§ 18.2-384. Proceeding against book alleged to be obscene

A. Whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that any person is engaged in the sale or commercial distribution of any obscene book, any citizen or the attorney for the Commonwealth of any county or city, or city attorney, in which the sale or commercial distribution of such book occurs may institute a proceeding in […]