Carnal Knowledge of a Child 13 or 14 Defense Lawyer in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 is a Class 4 felony under Va. Code § 18.2-63, carrying 2-10 years in prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. In Chesterfield County, these cases are prosecuted aggressively at the Chesterfield County General District Court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strong defense with 1 documented result in this locality.
Virginia Law on Carnal Knowledge of a Child 13 or 14
The crime of carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 is defined in Virginia Code § 18.2-63. It involves sexual intercourse with a child who is at least 13 years old but less than 15 years old. A key element is that the accused must be at least 18 years old. The statute does not require proof of force or lack of consent; the age of the child alone makes the act illegal. This is a strict liability offense in many respects, meaning the accused’s belief about the child’s age is generally not a defense.
Last verified: April 2026 | Chesterfield County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of the statute, see Va. Code § 18.2-63 (official Virginia General Assembly). Court information and procedures can be found at the Chesterfield County General District Court website.
Chesterfield County Court Process for Carnal Knowledge Charges
In Chesterfield County, a carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 charge begins with an arrest or summons. The case starts in the Chesterfield County General District Court for a preliminary hearing. At this hearing, the Commonwealth must show probable cause that a felony was committed and that you are the person who committed it. If the judge finds probable cause, your case is certified to the Chesterfield County Circuit Court for trial. Given the severity, bond is often set high or denied, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney typically seeks indictment by a grand jury.
- Arrest & Initial Appearance: You will be taken before a magistrate who sets bond conditions, which may include no contact with the alleged victim and GPS monitoring.
- Preliminary Hearing: Within 21-60 days, a hearing is held in General District Court to determine if there is probable cause to certify the felony to Circuit Court.
- Grand Jury Indictment: The Commonwealth typically presents the case to a grand jury in Circuit Court. An indictment is required for a felony trial.
- Circuit Court Arraignment & Trial: You will be formally arraigned on the indictment. Pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges are filed here. If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to a jury trial.
- Sentencing & Registration: A conviction triggers a mandatory prison sentence and lifetime registration under Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act (§ 9.1-900 et seq.).
Penalties for Carnal Knowledge of a Child 13 or 14 in Virginia
In Chesterfield County, a conviction for carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 carries a mandatory prison term of 2 to 10 years and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnal Knowledge of a Child 13 or 14 (Va. Code § 18.2-63) | Class 4 Felony | 2-10 years (mandatory active time likely) | Up to $100,000 | None | Lifetime sex offender registration; possible GPS monitoring; loss of professional licenses; restrictions on where you can live and work. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Experience in Chesterfield County Sex Crime Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. Our firm brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. We understand the high stakes of an underage sex charge lawyer Chesterfield County case. Our approach involves immediate investigation, challenging forensic and digital evidence, and aggressive negotiation to seek reductions or dismissals where possible. We have documented results in Chesterfield County, including a recent sex crime case that resulted in a nolle prosequi (dismissal).
Case Results in Sex Crimes
Our firm has achieved favorable outcomes in sensitive cases. In Chesterfield County General District Court, we secured a Nolle Prosequi (dismissal) for a client charged with solicitation of prostitution. In Bedford County Circuit Court, we successfully argued for the reinstatement of a $25,000 secured bond for a client facing three felony charges of computer solicitation of a minor, and in another case, negotiated an amendment of three felony solicitation charges down to two counts with a total sentence of 5 years.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Our Chesterfield County Defense Lawyers
Our Richmond location serves clients facing charges at the Chesterfield County courts. We are accessible via I-95, I-295, and Route 360. We provide carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 lawyer Chesterfield County representation to residents of Midlothian, Chester, Colonial Heights, Bon Air, Brandermill, and Moseley.
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Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr Suite 300 Room 359, Richmond, VA 23225, United States
FAQs: Carnal Knowledge Charges in Chesterfield County
What is the penalty for carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 in Virginia?
It is a Class 4 felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $100,000, and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Sentences often involve active incarceration.
Do I have to register as a sex offender if convicted?
Yes. A conviction under Va. Code § 18.2-63 requires lifetime registration under Virginia’s Sex Offender Registry Act (§ 9.1-901). This is a primary reason to hire a skilled statutory rape defense lawyer Chesterfield County to fight the charge.
What if the minor consented?
It depends. Virginia law states that a child under 15 cannot legally consent to sexual activity with an adult 18 or older. Therefore, consent is not a valid defense to a carnal knowledge charge. The law is designed to protect minors based on age alone.
How long does a carnal knowledge case take?
These cases typically take 6 to 18 months from arrest to resolution. The preliminary hearing occurs within 21-60 days in General District Court. If certified, the Circuit Court process, including possible grand jury indictment and trial, can extend the timeline significantly, especially if forensic evidence is involved.
Can the charge be reduced?
Yes, in some cases. An experienced underage sex charge lawyer Chesterfield County may negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to amend the charge to a lesser offense, such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which does not carry the sex offender registry requirement. This depends heavily on the specific facts and evidence.
Need a carnal knowledge of a child 13 or 14 lawyer Chesterfield County? For immediate assistance, call our 24/7 line. We also handle related matters like criminal defense in Chesterfield County and DUI charges. For more information on sex crimes defense statewide, visit our Virginia sex crime defense hub. We also serve neighboring areas like Henrico County.
Page Last verified: April 2026. Laws change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for current legal guidance.