Odd Laws Still on the Books
Adultery, baby chicks by the half dozen, and the orange triangle: real Virginia sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Code of Virginia itself.
Who handles this in Virginia: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Virginia directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawAdultery | What it saysA married person who voluntarily has sexual intercourse with someone not their spouse is guilty of adultery. | Breaking itClass 4 misdemeanor, a fine of up to $250 |
| The lawBaby chicks | What it saysNo one may sell, raffle, give away or offer as a prize chicks, ducklings or other fowl under two months old in quantities of less than six. | Breaking itClass 3 misdemeanor, a fine of up to $500 |
| The lawPuppies and kittens | What it saysNo dog or cat under seven weeks old may be sold or given away without its mother. | Breaking itClass 3 misdemeanor |
| The lawThe orange triangle | What it saysThe slow moving vehicle emblem is restricted to the uses the vehicle title allows, though one on a bicycle or moped is not a violation. | Breaking itA violation of the vehicle title |
Many laws that sound strange are local ordinances rather than state law, and those differ from place to place; this page covers only the Code of Virginia. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- Va. Code 18.2-365 — Adultery defined; penalty
- Va. Code 3.2-6510 — Sale of unweaned or immature animals prohibited
- Va. Code 46.2-1081 — Slow moving vehicle emblems
- Va. Code 18.2-11 — Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.