Vermont
Vermont Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 30, 2026). · 16 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Vermont's main age-based sexual offenses protect a child under 16 (13 V.S.A. 3252(c) and 2602), a child under 18 who is entrusted to the actor's care or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child or stepchild (3252(d)), and a minor where an actor at least 48 months older is in a position of power, authority or supervision (3258); most of the structure is tiered.
To report a concern: if a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Vermont Department for Children and Families states on its official page that the number to call to report suspected child abuse or neglect is 1-800-649-5285, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) can help you figure out where and how to report. Online exploitation can be reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.
Information last verified on 2026-09-30. This article has not yet been reviewed by a licensed lawyer. It is legal-reference information, not legal advice.
This page covers Vermont's criminal statutes on sexual offenses involving minors, mainly Title 13 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated: chapter 72 (sexual assault), chapter 59 (lewdness and prostitution), chapter 64 (sexual exploitation of children), chapter 60 (human trafficking), chapter 63 (obscenity and indecent material), chapter 25 (children) and the registry provisions in chapter 167. Federal law is summarized on the age of consent laws by state hub. The text was read on the official Vermont Statutes Online site (legislature.vermont.gov).
This page describes the main age-based sexual offense statutes. Other Vermont statutes also protect minors, and one of them can apply even where none of the offenses described here does.
How Vermont law protects minors by age
Vermont sets a general line at 16 for its child sexual offenses, with separate offenses that reach a child under 18 in specified relationships. The table summarizes the main provisions.
| Person protected | Actor | Offense | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child under 16, sexual act | Any person (see the exception in 3252(c)(2)) | Sexual assault | 13 V.S.A. 3252(c) |
| Child under 16, lewd or lascivious act | Any person (see the exception in 2602(a)(2)) | Lewd or lascivious conduct with a child | 13 V.S.A. 2602 |
| Victim under 13 | At least 18 | Aggravated sexual assault | 13 V.S.A. 3253(a)(8) |
| Child under 16 | At least 18, with a listed aggravating circumstance | Aggravated sexual assault of a child | 13 V.S.A. 3253a |
| Child under 16 | Entrusted to the actor's care, or the actor's child, grandchild, foster, adopted or stepchild; or actor at least 18 residing in the household in a parental role | Sexual assault | 13 V.S.A. 3252(e) |
| Child under 18 | Entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law, or the actor's child, grandchild, foster, adopted or stepchild | Sexual assault | 13 V.S.A. 3252(d) |
| Minor | At least 48 months older and in a position of power, authority or supervision | Sexual exploitation of a minor | 13 V.S.A. 3258 |
Child under 16
Section 3252(c) provides: "No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 16." A "sexual act" is defined in 13 V.S.A. 3251. Section 2602(a)(1) provides: "No person shall willfully and lewdly commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child under the age of 16 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of such person or of such child."
Under 13 and aggravated offenses
Section 3253(a)(8) applies to aggravated sexual assault where "The victim is under the age of 13 and the actor is at least 18 years of age." Section 3253a provides that "A person commits the crime of aggravated sexual assault of a child if the actor is at least 18 years of age and commits sexual assault against a child under the age of 16 in violation of section 3252 of this title and at least one of the following circumstances exists," followed by the circumstances the section lists.
Entrusted care and family relationships
Section 3252(d) provides: "No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 18 and is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child, or stepchild." Section 3252(e) provides: "No person shall engage in a sexual act with a child under the age of 16 if: (1) the victim is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child, or stepchild; or (2) the actor is at least 18 years of age, resides in the victim's household, and serves in a parental role with respect to the victim."
Position of power, authority or supervision
Section 3258(a) provides: "No person shall engage in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or sexual conduct as defined in section 2821 of this title with a minor if: (1) the actor is at least 48 months older than the minor; and (2) the actor is in a position of power, authority, or supervision over the minor by virtue of the actor's undertaking the responsibility, professionally or voluntarily, to provide for the health or welfare of minors, or guidance, leadership, instruction, or organized recreational activities for minors." Subsection (b), added in 2024, provides that a person prohibited by subsection (a) shall not knowingly solicit, lure, manipulate or entice such a minor.
How the age exception works
Vermont states its close-in-age provision as an exception written into the offense, with an actor-age ceiling rather than a difference in years. Section 3252(c)(2) states the exception "where the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the sexual act is consensual." Section 2602(a)(2) provides: "This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the conduct is consensual." Section 2828(c) (luring a child) uses the same wording.
The exception is stated in 3252(c), 2602 and 2828. It is not written into 3252(d), 3252(e), 3253 or 3258. Section 3253a applies only to sexual assault 'in violation of section 3252'.
Other Vermont statutes that protect minors
The following additional statutes apply to minors and can apply even where none of the offenses above does.
- Luring a child. Section 2828 applies to a person who knowingly solicits, lures, manipulates or entices, or attempts to, a child under 16 (or another person believed to be a child under 16) to engage in a sexual act or lewd and lascivious conduct. The penalty in 13 V.S.A. 2825(e) is imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. The word "manipulate" was added in 2024.
- Sexual exploitation of children. Chapter 64 covers use of a child in a sexual performance and consenting to or promoting a recording of sexual conduct (sections 2822, 2823 and 2824; up to 10 years or a fine of up to $20,000, or both, under 2825(a)), and possession of child sexual abuse material (section 2827; up to two years or five years depending on the depiction, with the fines stated in 2825). "Child" in that chapter means a person under 16 (2821(1)).
- Human trafficking. Section 2652(a)(1) covers recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a person under 18 for the purpose of a commercial sex act. Under section 2653, human trafficking is aggravated where the victim is a child under 18, and aggravated human trafficking is punishable by not less than 20 years and a maximum term of life, or a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
- Procurement or solicitation for prostitution. Section 2632(a)(6) covers procuring or soliciting a person for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation. The penalty is a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than one year, and up to three years for a second offense. The registry treats it as an offense where the victim is a minor.
- Cruelty to a child. Section 1304(b)(1) applies where a child in the custody, charge or care of a person over 16 is subjected to sexual conduct as defined in 2821(2). The penalty is imprisonment of not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.
- Open and gross lewdness. Section 2601 carries up to five years or a fine of up to $300, or both. It has no minor-age element.
- Incest. Section 205 applies to sexual intercourse (fornication) between close relatives, including those listed in 15 V.S.A. 1a (a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, sibling's child or parent's sibling). The penalty is imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. It has no minor-age element.
- Disseminating indecent material to a minor. Section 2802 applies to material disseminated to a minor, which section 2801(1) defines as any person less than 18 years old.
Penalties
Vermont does not label these offenses with a felony or misdemeanor class in the offense sections; each section states the term and fine.
| Offense | Penalty as stated |
|---|---|
| Sexual assault of a child under 16 (3252(c)) | Imprisoned for not more than 20 years and, in addition, may be fined not more than $10,000 (3252(f)(2)) |
| Sexual assault under 3252(d) or (e) | Imprisoned not less than three years and for a maximum term of life and, in addition, may be fined not more than $25,000; sentenced under section 3271 (3252(f)(1), (g)) |
| Aggravated sexual assault, victim under 13 (3253(a)(8), (b), (c)) | Not less than 10 years and a maximum term of life, and a fine of not more than $50,000; the court may depart downward on written findings, but not below five years |
| Aggravated sexual assault of a child (3253a(b)) | Not less than 25 years with a maximum term of life, and a fine of not more than $50,000; the 25-year term may not be suspended, deferred or served as a supervised sentence |
| Lewd or lascivious conduct with a child (2602(b)) | First offense: not less than two years and not more than 15 years, and a fine of not more than $5,000. Second offense: not less than five years and a maximum term of life, and a fine of not more than $25,000. Third or subsequent: not less than 10 years and a maximum term of life, and a fine of not more than $25,000 |
| Sexual exploitation of a minor (3258(c)) | Not more than one year or a fine of not more than $2,000, or both; not more than five years or $10,000, or both, if the actor abuses the position of power, authority or supervision to engage in the sexual act or sexual conduct |
Under 3258(d), soliciting, luring, manipulating or enticing such a minor is punishable by not more than six months or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both (and by not more than two years or a fine of not more than $5,000, or both, if the person abuses the position). Under 2602(c), the five-year and 10-year minimum terms for a second or later offense must be served and may not be suspended, deferred or served as a supervised sentence, unless the court departs downward on written findings. Under 2602(f), conduct constituting lewd and lascivious conduct with a child is considered a violent act for the purpose of determining bail.
Sex offender registration
Registration is governed by 13 V.S.A. sections 5401 and following, in chapter 167. Section 5401(10)(A) lists offenses regardless of the victim's age, including "sexual assault as defined in section 3252 of this title," "aggravated sexual assault as defined in section 3253 of this title," open and gross lewdness under section 2601, and "aggravated sexual assault of a child in violation of section 3253a of this title." Section 5401(10)(B) lists offenses "against a victim who is a minor," including lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under section 2602, sexual exploitation of children under chapter 64, sexual exploitation of a minor under section 3258, procurement or solicitation under section 2632(a)(6) and sex trafficking of children as defined in section 2652. In the registry subchapter (chapter 167, subchapter 3), "Minor" means "a person under the age of 18 years" (5401(5)).
For purposes of that subdivision, "conduct that is criminal only because of the age of the victim shall not be considered an offense for purposes of the Registry if the perpetrator is under the age of 18 and the victim is at least 12 years old."
Under 5407(e), a person required to register continues to comply "until 10 years have elapsed since the person was released from prison or discharged from parole, supervised release, or probation, whichever is later," except during periods of incarceration. Under 5407(f), registration is for life in the categories the statute lists, which include a prior registry offense, a conviction of sexual assault under 3252 or aggravated sexual assault under 3253, a sexually violent predator and a noncompliant high-risk offender. The statute provides that "if a person convicted under section 3252 is not more than six years older than the victim of the assault and if the victim is 14 years of age or older, then the offender shall not be required to register for life if the age of the victim was the basis for the conviction." This is a registration provision and does not change whether the underlying conduct is an offense.
Recent changes
- 2023, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.) (H.694), effective May 7, 2024: amended 13 V.S.A. 3257 and 3258; the change shown in 3258 is gender-neutral wording. The ages and the 48-month difference are unchanged.
- 2023, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.) (H.173), effective July 1, 2024: added 3258(b) (soliciting, luring, manipulating or enticing a minor prohibited by 3258(a)) with penalties in 3258(d), and added "manipulate" to 2828.
- Earlier amendments: 3252 and 3251 were last amended by 2021, No. 68; 3253a was added in 2009; 2602 was last amended by 2015, No. 43.
- 2026, No. 89 (H.626), effective July 1, 2026: amended 13 V.S.A. 2605 (voyeurism) and 2606 (disclosure of sexually explicit images) and added 2607 (sexual extortion). Under the act as enacted, voyeurism under 2605(b), (c) or (d) involving a victim under 18 is punishable by up to three years or $5,000, or both, for a first offense and up to five years or $10,000, or both, for a later offense, and sexual extortion under 2607 is punishable by up to 10 years or $10,000, or both, if the victim is under 18. The online statute pages did not yet show these changes when checked.
How to report
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Vermont Department for Children and Families report page lists 1-800-649-5285 as the number to call to report suspected child abuse or neglect, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) and the NCMEC CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678) are also available.
Disclaimer
This page is general legal information about Vermont criminal statutes as verified on 2026-09-30. It is not legal advice. Statutes change, summaries simplify, and the statute text controls. Anyone with a specific situation should consult a lawyer licensed in Vermont.
Related articles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age exception in Vermont's sexual assault statute?
Section 3252(c) states an exception where the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old and the sexual act is consensual. Section 2602(a)(2) and section 2828(c) state the same conditions. It is written into those offenses as an exception and does not appear in 3252(d), 3252(e) or 3258.
Does Vermont protect persons 16 and 17?
Yes, in specified relationships. Section 3252(d) applies to a child under 18 who is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child or stepchild. Section 3258 applies to a minor where an actor at least 48 months older is in a position of power, authority or supervision, and other statutes on this page apply to persons under 18.
Where can the statute text be found?
The Vermont Statutes Annotated are published by the Vermont Legislature at legislature.vermont.gov. Title 13, chapter 72 contains the sexual assault offenses, chapter 59 the lewd or lascivious conduct offense and chapter 167 the registry provisions.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 72: Sexual Assault, Subchapter: CRIMES; TRIAL
§ 3252Sexual assaultIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) No person shall engage in a sexual act with another person: (1) without the consent of the other person; (2) by threatening or coercing the other person; (3) by placing the other person in fear that any person will suffer imminent bodily injury; or (4) when the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise unaware that the sexual act is occurring. (b)(1) No person shall administer any alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants to another person without the person’s knowledge or against the person’s will and, while the person is impaired by the alcohol, drugs, or intoxicants, engage in a sexual act with that person. (2) No person shall engage in a sexual act with another person when the other person is incapable of consenting to the sexual act due to substantial impairment by alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants and that condition is known or reasonably should be known by the person.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 206 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- In re Carter (Supreme Court of Vermont 2004, 176 Vt. 322)“…an element “sexual assault.” See 13 V.S.A. § 3253(a). Under 13 V.S.A. § 3252(a) sexual assault may be shown under an…”
- State v. Gallagher (Supreme Court of Vermont 1988, 150 Vt. 341)“…Defendant was convicted of sexual assault in violation of 13 V.S.A § 3252(3). On appeal, he argues that hearsay t…”
- State v. Nash (Supreme Court of Vermont 1984, 144 Vt. 427)“…3 V.S.A. § 9 [defining an attempt to commit an offense] and 13 V.S.A. § 3252 [defining sexual assault].” Sect…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting
§ 3253aAggravated sexual assault of a childIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) A person commits the crime of aggravated sexual assault of a child if the actor is at least 18 years of age and commits sexual assault against a child under the age of 16 in violation of section 3252 of this title and at least one of the following circumstances exists: (1) At the time of the sexual assault, the actor causes serious bodily injury to the victim or to another. (2) The actor is joined or assisted by one or more persons in physically restraining, assaulting, or sexually assaulting the victim. (3) The actor commits the sexual act under circumstances which constitute the crime of kidnapping. (4) The actor has previously been convicted in this State of sexual assault under subsection 3252(a) or (b) of this title, aggravated sexual assault under section 3253 of this title, or aggravated sexual assault of a child under this section, or has been convicted in any jurisdiction in the United States or territories of an offense which would constitute sexual assault under subsection 3252(a) or (b) of this title, aggravated sexual assault under section 3253 of this title, or aggravated sexual assault of a child under this section if committed in this State.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 17 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Shawn Bellanger (Supreme Court of Vermont 2018, 183 A.3d 550)“…g him guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 V.S.A. § 3253a(a)(8) and lewd or lascivious conduct w…”
- State v. Michael Rondeau (Supreme Court of Vermont 2016, 203 Vt. 518)“…d in the information, which was described as a violation of 13 V.S.A. § 3253a(a)(8) for aggravated sexual assault of…”
- State v. Rooney (Supreme Court of Vermont 2011, 189 Vt. 306)“…n leave the consequences to judicial discretion. See, e.g., 13 V.S.A. § 3253a(b) (providing that person convicted of…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3251DefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter: (1) A “sexual act” means conduct between persons consisting of contact between the penis and the vulva, the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or any intrusion, however slight, by any part of a person’s body or any object into the genital or anal opening of another. (2) “Sexual conduct” means any conduct or behavior relating to sexual activities of the complaining witness, including but not limited to prior experience of sexual acts, use of contraceptives, living arrangement, and mode of living. (3) “Consent” means the affirmative, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual act, which can be revoked at any time. (4) “Serious bodily injury” shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 1021(2) of this title. (5) “Bodily injury” means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. (6) “Actor” means a person charged with sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. (7) “Deadly force” means physical force that a person uses with the intent of causing, or that the person knows or should have known would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 40 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Hazelton (Supreme Court of Vermont 2006, 181 Vt. 118)“…tion that the victim is freely willing to participate. See 13 V.S.A. § 3251(3) (" 'Consent' means words or actions…”
- State v. Desautels (Supreme Court of Vermont 2006, 180 Vt. 189)“…ndicating a voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual act.” 13 V.S.A. § 3251(3). Proof of resistance is not required…”
- State v. Messier (Supreme Court of Vermont 1985, 146 Vt. 145)“…149 none of the sexual contacts contemplated by 13 V.S.A. § 3251 1 were established. The me…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3253Aggravated sexual assaultIn force
(a) A person commits the crime of aggravated sexual assault if the person commits sexual assault under any one of the following circumstances: (1) At the time of the sexual assault, the actor causes serious bodily injury to the victim or to another. (2) The actor is joined or assisted by one or more persons in physically restraining, assaulting, or sexually assaulting the victim. (3) The actor commits the sexual act under circumstances which constitute the crime of kidnapping. (4) The actor has previously been convicted in this State of sexual assault under subsection 3252(a) or (b) of this title or aggravated sexual assault or has been convicted in any jurisdiction in the United States or territories of an offense which would constitute sexual assault under subsection 3252(a) or (b) of this title or aggravated sexual assault if committed in this State. (5) At the time of the sexual assault, the actor is armed with a deadly weapon and uses or threatens to use the deadly weapon on the victim or on another.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 87 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- In re Carter (Supreme Court of Vermont 2004, 176 Vt. 322)“…relief from a conviction of aggravated sexual assault under 13 V.S.A. § 3253 and the resulting sentence. Petitioner…”
- State v. Fuller (Supreme Court of Vermont 1998, 168 Vt. 396)“…r aggravated sexual assault of his step-son in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 3253(a)(9). Defendant contends that (1) the…”
- State v. Hazelton (Supreme Court of Vermont 2006, 181 Vt. 118)“…Id. The third is the aggravated sexual assault statute, 13 V.S.A. § 3253(a). It provides in relevant part: (a)…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3257Sexual exploitation of a person under the supervision of the Department of CorrectionsIn force
(a) A correctional employee, contractor, or other person providing services to offenders on behalf of the Department of Corrections or pursuant to a court order or in accordance with a condition of parole, probation, supervised community sentence, or furlough shall not engage in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or sexual conduct as defined in section 2821 of this title with: (1) a person who the employee, contractor, or other person providing services knows is confined to a correctional facility; or (2) any offender being supervised by the Department of Corrections while on parole, probation, supervised community sentence, or furlough, where the employee, contractor, or other service provider knows or reasonably should have known that the offender is being supervised by the Department, unless the offender and the employee, contractor, or person providing services were married, parties to a civil union, or engaged in a consensual sexual relationship at the time of sentencing for the offense for which the offender is being supervised by the Department.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2019
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- James Ingerson v. Andrew Pallito, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections and Leanne Salls (Supreme Court of Vermont 2019, 2019 VT 40)“…d constitutes criminal conduct by the supervising officer. 13 V.S.A. § 3257 (criminalizing sexual exploitation of…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3258Sexual exploitation of a minorIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) No person shall engage in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or sexual conduct as defined in section 2821 of this title with a minor if: (1) the actor is at least 48 months older than the minor; and (2) the actor is in a position of power, authority, or supervision over the minor by virtue of the actor’s undertaking the responsibility, professionally or voluntarily, to provide for the health or welfare of minors, or guidance, leadership, instruction, or organized recreational activities for minors. (b) No person who is prohibited from engaging in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or sexual conduct as defined in section 2821 of this title with a minor pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall knowingly solicit, lure, manipulate, or entice, or to attempt to solicit, lure, manipulate, or entice, such minor or another person believed by the person to be such a minor to engage in sexual conduct. (c)(1) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Morris D. Nelson (Supreme Court of Vermont 2020, 246 A.3d 937)“…and (III) sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 3258(c). The criminal division held a jury…”
- State v. Julianne Graham (Supreme Court of Vermont 2016, 202 Vt. 43)“…counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 3258. The charges were filed against defend…”
- State v. Ernest Phillips (Supreme Court of Vermont 2018, 195 A.3d 1099)“…(c) and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor under 13 V.S.A. § 3258(c). ¶ 4. On December 16, 201…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Vermont Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59: Lewdness and Prostitution, Subchapter: LEWD AND INDECENT CONDUCT
§ 2602Lewd or lascivious conduct with childIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a)(1) No person shall willfully and lewdly commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child under the age of 16 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of such person or of such child. (2) This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the conduct is consensual. (b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be: (1) For a first offense, imprisoned not less than two years and not more than 15 years, and, in addition, may be fined not more than $5,000.00, or both. (2) For a second offense, imprisoned not less than five years and a maximum term of life, and, in addition, may be fined not more than $25,000.00, or both. (3) For a third or subsequent offense, imprisoned not less than 10 years and a maximum term of life, and, in addition, may be fined not more than $25,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 118 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- In re G.T. (Supreme Court of Vermont 2000, 170 Vt. 507)“…d juvenile was adjudicated a delinquent for having violated 13 V.S.A. § 2602, which prohibits “a person” from commit…”
- In re P.M. (Supreme Court of Vermont 1991, 156 Vt. 303)“…argued that he had not committed a delinquent act because 13 V.S.A. § 2602, 1 the statute proscribing lewd and la…”
- State v. John Discola (Supreme Court of Vermont 2018, 184 A.3d 1177)“…and two counts of lewd or lascivious conduct with a child, 13 V.S.A. § 2602. Defendant asserts that: (1) the eviden…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 2605VoyeurismIn forcecited in 15 of our articles
(a) As used in this section: (1) “Bona fide private investigator or bona fide security guard” means an individual lawfully providing services, whether licensed or unlicensed, pursuant to 26 V.S.A. §§ 3151 and 3151a. (2) “Female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola. (3) “Circumstances in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that his or her intimate areas would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private area. This definition includes circumstances in which a person knowingly disrobes in front of another, but does not expect nor give consent for the other person to photograph, film, or record his or her intimate areas. (4) “Intimate areas” means the naked or undergarment-clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of a person.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-24 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 6 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):In State v. DEVOID (2010) the Vermont Supreme Court reversed an attempted voyeurism conviction under section 2605(b)(1), holding the evidence could not show the defendant, on the ground, was able to see the complainant's intimate areas as the statute defines them, so looking at her window was not an overt act.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. DEVOID (Supreme Court of Vermont 2010, 188 Vt. 445)✓A man stared up at a second-floor shower window from the parking lot; a photograph taken inside the bathroom showed the complainant's intimate areas, as the statute defines them, were below the sill, so the court reversed his attempted-voyeurism conviction as unsupported.
- State v. Squiers (Supreme Court of Vermont 2006, 179 Vt. 388)“…r any object into the genital or anal opening of another”); 13 V.S.A. § 2605(a)(4) & (b) (prohibiting the viewing or…”
- State v. Beaudoin (Supreme Court of Vermont 2008, 185 Vt. 164)“…ter 1 includes §§ 2601 and 2602 and a section on voyeurism, 13 V.S.A. § 2605. Section 2601 makes it a felony to enga…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Vermont Medical Recording Laws, Vermont Laws on Recording in Public, Vermont School Recording Laws
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 5: Adultery and Bigamy
§ 205Intermarriage of or fornication by persons prohibited to marryIn force
Persons between whom marriages are prohibited by the laws of this State who intermarry or commit fornication with each other shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both. (Amended 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 16.)
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2005
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Gallagher (Supreme Court of Vermont 1988, 150 Vt. 341)“…conduct with a child under 13 V.S.A. § 2602 or incest under 13 V.S.A. § 205, and the statements concern the alleged…”
- State v. Rusin (Supreme Court of Vermont 1989, 153 Vt. 36)“…conduct with a child under 13 V.S.A. § 2602 or incest under 13 V.S.A. § 205, and the statements concern the alleged…”
- State v. Anderson (Supreme Court of Vermont 2005, 178 Vt. 467)“…ual activity between an uncle and niece, 15 V.S.A. §§ 1, 3; 13 V.S.A. §205, making *470 this assaul…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 64: Sexual Exploitation of Children
§ 2825PenaltiesIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) A person who violates section 2822, 2823, or 2824 of this title shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $20,000.00, or both. (b) Upon conviction for a violation of section 2822, 2823, or 2824 of this title of a person who has earlier been convicted under any of those sections, the person shall be imprisoned not less than one year nor more than 15 years or fined not more than $50,000.00, or both. (c) A person who violates section 2827 of this title by possessing or accessing with intent to view a photograph, film, or visual depiction, including a depiction stored electronically, which constitutes: (1) a clearly lewd exhibition of a child’s genitals or anus, other than a depiction of sexual conduct by a child, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both; (2) sexual conduct by, with, or on a child, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both. (d) A person who violates section 2827 of this title after being convicted of a previous violation of the same section shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $50,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties, Vermont Pornography Laws (2026): No General Obscenity Ban for Adults
§ 2828Luring a childIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) No person shall knowingly solicit, lure, manipulate, or entice, or to attempt to solicit, lure, manipulate, or entice, a child under 16 years of age or another person believed by the person to be a child under 16 years of age to engage in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or engage in lewd and lascivious conduct as defined in section 2602 of this title. (b) This section applies to solicitation, luring, manipulating, or enticement by any means, including in person, through written or telephonic correspondence, or through electronic communication. (c) This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years of age, the child is at least 15 years of age, and the conduct is consensual. (Added 1999, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; amended 2005, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2019, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2023, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2024.)
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 9 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Sanel Masic (Supreme Court of Vermont 2021, 261 A.3d 646)“…asic was convicted on jury verdict of luring a child under 13 V.S.A. § 2828. On appeal, he argues that the statute…”
- State v. Scott Vogel (Supreme Court of Vermont 2022, 274 A.3d 37)“…whether a defendant may be tried on a charge of violating 13 V.S.A. § 2828, which prohibits solicitation of a chi…”
- State v. Kai A. Freeman (Supreme Court of Vermont 2017, 178 A.3d 326)“…ng, or attempting to solicit, lure, or entice a child under 13 V.S.A. § 2828(a); and one count of contributing to t…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
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Sources and References
- 13 V.S.A. 3251 (Definitions)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 3252 (Sexual assault)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 3253a (Aggravated sexual assault of a child)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 3258 (Sexual exploitation of a minor)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2602 (Lewd or lascivious conduct with child)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2828 (Luring a child)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 72 (Sexual assault)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 59 (Lewdness and prostitution)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 64 (Sexual exploitation of children)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 60 (Human trafficking)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 25 (Children)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 63 (Indecent material and minors)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 167 (Sex offender registry)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont DCF: Report child abuse or neglect(dcf.vermont.gov).gov
- Section 205(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- act as enacted(legislature.vermont.gov).gov