18.2-417 - Slander and libel. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-417. Slander and libel.

Any person who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish,of and concerning any female of chaste character, any words derogatory ofsuch female's character for virtue and chastity, or imputing to such femaleacts not virtuous and chaste, or who shall falsely utter and speak, orfalsely write and publish, of and concerning another person, any words whichfrom their usual construction and common acceptation are construed as insultsand tend to violence and breach of the peace or shall use grossly insultinglanguage to any female of good character or reputation, shall be guilty of aClass 3 misdemeanor.

The defendant shall be entitled to prove upon trial in mitigation of thepunishment, the provocation which induced the libelous or slanderous words,or any other fact or circumstance tending to disprove malice, or lessen thecriminality of the offense.

(Code 1950, § 18.1-256; 1960, c. 358; 1973, c. 526; 1975, cc. 14, 15.)