So is Oral Sex still against the law in VA? (Roanoke: crimes, felony)

[verybadgnome]

Just as a PR thing so as not to look beholden to cultural conservatives it would be best if they struck this out. I mean this sounds like it was written in the days of Salem, MA:

"If any person carnally knows in any manner any brute animal, or carnally knows any male or female person by the anus or by or with the mouth, or voluntarily submits to such carnal knowledge, he or she shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony,punishable by a $2500 fine and/or up to 5 years in prison, except as provided in subsection B."

[roanoker 4]

Pretty scary laws but I doubt if they are enforced. In my city of Roanoke there aren't enough cops to enforce the laws against barking dogs much less oral sex or drug crimes!

[CAVA1990]

The problem is no legislator wants to go on record as doing anything to repeal it for fear of a headline saying "Delegate _____ introduces bill to legalize sex with animals".

[Tezcatlipoca]

I didn't know oral sex was illegal in Virginia, but it still is in Maryland though it doesn't sound quite as bad:

"Unnatural and Perverted Sexual Practice Act"
(a) Prohibited.- A person may not:
(1) take the sexual organ of another or of an animal in the person's mouth;
(2) place the person's sexual organ in the mouth of another or of an animal; or
(3) commit another unnatural or perverted sexual practice with another or with an animal.
(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
(c) Statute of limitations and in banc review.- A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.
(d) Charging document.- An indictment for a violation of this section:
(1) is sufficient if it states that the defendant committed an unnatural and perverted sexual practice with a person or animal as applicable; but
(2) need not state the particular:
(i) unnatural or perverted sexual practice with which the defendant is charged; or
(ii) manner in which the defendant committed the unnatural or perverted sexual practice.

This most recent version I believe was updated in 1998, when for the sake of equality they removed the part making only homosexual oral sex illegal, extending oral sex prosecution equally to all regardless of sexual preference.

[CAVA1990]

I believe these are all unconstutional now:

Lawrence v. Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

With current attitudes about the role of government i doubt there are many people who support such laws anymore. It often takes awhile for legislatures to clean up what's on the books.

[wnewberry22]

Not if it's done right

[VA Yankee]

I can imagine the legislators faces as they read the terms of the law into the record..

[tgbwc]

There are a lot of laws on the books that aren't enforced any more.

Still on the Books: A Look at State Laws - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather