Virginia Law criminalizes some consensual sexual activity involving persons who are not yet 18 years old. The same act is treated very differently under the law depending on the age of the Defendant and the age of the victim.

The least serious charge, carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 15, is a Class 4 Misdemeanor punishable by only a $250 fine (§18.2-63(B). This is where the consensual sex act occurs between one participant who is at least 13 years old but not yet 15, and the other participant is less than 3 years older, sometimes referred to as Statutory Rape).

The most serious charge, also called carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 15, is Class 4 Felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison (§18.2-63(A)). This is where an adult has sex with someone at least 13 years old but not yet 15.

If both parties to the act are minors, but the age difference is greater than 3 years, it is a Class 6 felony punishable by up to five years in prison.