{ "batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_code_index", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Statutory code index", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia's statutory code is published on the official West Virginia Legislature site at code.wvlegislature.gov, listing chapters including Chapter 61 concerning crimes and their punishment.", "body": "West Virginia's statutory code is published on the official West Virginia Legislature site at code.wvlegislature.gov, listing chapters including Chapter 61 concerning crimes and their punishment.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“West Virginia Code”\n\nNote: Anchor record for West Virginia statutory code index.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "West Virginia Code", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia Code", "topic": "statutory code index", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "placeholder_quote_too_short", "strong_label_on_weak_content" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_obscenity_definition", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: statutory definition of obscenity", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia defines obscene matter as material that an average person applying contemporary adult community standards would find appeals to the prurient interest, depicts patently offensive sexually explicit conduct, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.", "body": "West Virginia defines obscene matter as material that an average person applying contemporary adult community standards would find appeals to the prurient interest, depicts patently offensive sexually explicit conduct, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(k) “Obscene matter” means matter that: (1) An average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest, is intended to appeal to the prurient interest, or is pandered to a prurient interest; (2) An average person, applying community standards, would find depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexually explicit conduct; and (3) A reasonable person would find, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-1(k).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-1/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(k) “Obscene matter” means matter that: (1) An average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest, is intended to appeal to the prurient interest, or is pandered to a prurient interest; (2) An average person, applying community standards, would find depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexually explicit conduct; and (3) A reasonable person would find, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "statutory definition of obscenity", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_sexually_explicit_conduct", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: statutory definition of sexually explicit conduct", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia defines sexually explicit conduct as ultimate sexual acts including intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, bestiality, sadomasochism, masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibition of the genitals.", "body": "West Virginia defines sexually explicit conduct as ultimate sexual acts including intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, bestiality, sadomasochism, masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibition of the genitals.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(n) “Sexually explicit conduct” means an ultimate sexual act, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual bestiality, sexual sadism and masochism, masturbation, excretory functions and lewd exhibition of the genitals.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-1(n).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-1/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(n) “Sexually explicit conduct” means an ultimate sexual act, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual bestiality, sexual sadism and masochism, masturbation, excretory functions and lewd exhibition of the genitals.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "statutory definition of sexually explicit conduct", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_minor_definition", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: statutory definition of minor", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia defines a minor as any person under eighteen years of age or a person representing themselves to be a minor.", "body": "West Virginia defines a minor as any person under eighteen years of age or a person representing themselves to be a minor.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(j) “Minor” means an person under eighteen years of age or a person representing himself or herself to be a minor. Any prosecution under this article relating to a victim who is representing himself or herself to be a minor shall be limited to investigations being conducted or overseen by law enforcement.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-1(j).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-1/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(j) “Minor” means an person under eighteen years of age or a person representing himself or herself to be a minor. Any prosecution under this article relating to a victim who is representing himself or herself to be a minor shall be limited to investigations being conducted or overseen by law enforcement.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "statutory definition of minor", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_distribute_definition", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: statutory definition of distribute", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia defines distribute as transferring possession, transporting, transmitting, selling, or renting, with or without consideration.", "body": "West Virginia defines distribute as transferring possession, transporting, transmitting, selling, or renting, with or without consideration.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(e) “Distribute” means to transfer possession, transport, transmit, sell or rent, whether with or without consideration.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-1(e).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-1/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(e) “Distribute” means to transfer possession, transport, transmit, sell or rent, whether with or without consideration.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "statutory definition of distribute", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_distribution_minors_offence", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: distribution or display of obscene matter to minors offence and penalty", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Any adult who knowingly and intentionally distributes or displays obscene matter to a minor with knowledge of its character is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment in a state correctional facility for up to five years, or both.", "body": "Any adult who knowingly and intentionally distributes or displays obscene matter to a minor with knowledge of its character is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment in a state correctional facility for up to five years, or both.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(a) Any adult, with knowledge of the character of the matter, who knowingly and intentionally distributes, offers to distribute, or displays to a minor any obscene matter, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000, or confined in a state correctional facility for not more than five years, or both.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-2(a).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-2/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(a) Any adult, with knowledge of the character of the matter, who knowingly and intentionally distributes, offers to distribute, or displays to a minor any obscene matter, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000, or confined in a state correctional facility for not more than five years, or both.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "distribution or display of obscene matter to minors offence and penalty", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "money.fees", "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_distribution_minors_defense_age_verification", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: age verification defense for distribution to minors", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] It is a defense to prosecution for distributing obscene matter to minors if the matter was displayed or distributed after taking reasonable steps to verify age using an adult identification card or other reasonable means.", "body": "It is a defense to prosecution for distributing obscene matter to minors if the matter was displayed or distributed after taking reasonable steps to verify age using an adult identification card or other reasonable means.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(4) Was displayed or distributed after taking reasonable steps to receive, obtain or check an adult identification card, such as a driver's license or other technically or reasonably feasible means of verification of age.”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-2(b)(4).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-2/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(4) Was displayed or distributed after taking reasonable steps to receive, obtain or check an adult identification card, such as a driver's license or other technically or reasonably feasible means of verification of age.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "age verification defense for distribution to minors", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "access.id", "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_internet_distribution_exemption", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: internet distribution criminal liability exemption", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Persons who routinely distribute obscene matter via telephone, computer network, or the Internet are exempt from criminal liability if they take reasonable measures to prevent access by minors.", "body": "Persons who routinely distribute obscene matter via telephone, computer network, or the Internet are exempt from criminal liability if they take reasonable measures to prevent access by minors.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“(e) A person who routinely distributes obscene matter by the use of telephone, computer network or the Internet and who distributes such matter to any minor under the age of eighteen years after the person has taken reasonable measures to prevent access by minors to the obscene matter; or”\n\nNote: Quoted from WV Code § 61-8A-3(e).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8A-3/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "(e) A person who routinely distributes obscene matter by the use of telephone, computer network or the Internet and who distributes such matter to any minor under the age of eighteen years after the person has taken reasonable measures to prevent access by minors to the obscene matter; or", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "internet distribution criminal liability exemption", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_solo" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "thin_body", "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r882_west_virginia_obscenity_and_distribution_wv_adult_obscenity_statute_absence", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia: absence of general adult obscenity distribution statute in chapter 61 article 8", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] West Virginia's penal code in Chapter 61 Article 8 covers crimes against chastity and morality, while Article 8A specifically addresses distribution and display of obscene matter to minors.", "body": "West Virginia's penal code in Chapter 61 Article 8 covers crimes against chastity and morality, while Article 8A specifically addresses distribution and display of obscene matter to minors.\n\nWhat West Virginia Legislature actually says:\n\n“ARTICLE 8. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY AND DECENCY. §61-8-1. Bigamy -- Penalty. §61-8-2. Same -- Effect of absence, divorce or void marriage. §61-8-3. Repealed. Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 34. §61-8-4. Repealed. Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 34. §61-8-5. Houses of ill fame and assignation; immunity for minor victims of sex trafficking; penalties; jurisdiction of courts.”\n\nNote: Searched Chapter 61 Article 8 of the West Virginia Code on code.wvlegislature.gov on 2026-10-15. General adult distribution prohibitions rely on constitutional standards rather than a separate general commercial code section in Article 8.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8/", "last_verified": "2026-10-15", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "West Virginia Legislature", "evidence_quote": "ARTICLE 8. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY AND DECENCY. §61-8-1. Bigamy -- Penalty. §61-8-2. Same -- Effect of absence, divorce or void marriage. §61-8-3. Repealed. Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 34. §61-8-4. Repealed. Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 34. §61-8-5. Houses of ill fame and assignation; immunity for minor victims of sex trafficking; penalties; jurisdiction of courts.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "882-west-virginia-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "West Virginia", "topic": "absence of general adult obscenity distribution statute in chapter 61 article 8", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "West Virginia statewide", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-wv" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } } ] }