Virginia is for Lovers?

The State of Virginia currently has an antiquated statute on its books that makes it a misdemeanor to engage in sexual intercourse outside of marriage.  Conviction of fornication carries with it a $250 fine.  It states as follows:

§ 18.2-344. Fornication.  Any person, not being married, who voluntarily shall have sexual intercourse with any other person, shall be guilty of fornication, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.

On January 8, 2014, Delegate Mark Sickles (D) introduced Virginia House Bill 914 which would repeal the crime of fornication entirely, of which eight people were convicted in 2013, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

Unfortunately, HB 914 has stalled out in the Virginia House and is tabled for this session due to loopholes in changes to other crimes included in the bill, including other sex crimes.

Morality laws continue to be a hot topic in the state who bills itself as  “Virginia is for Lovers.” Adultery also is a misdemeanor in the state, and carries a $250 fine.