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Legal Information: U.S. Virgin Islands

Statutes: Virgin Islands, U.S.

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Updated: 
November 15, 2023

1700. Aggravated rape in the first degree

(a) Whoever perpetrates an act of sexual intercourse or sodomy with a person:
 

(1) Who is under the age of thirteen, or
 

(2) who is under sixteen years of age residing in the same household as the perpetrator, and force, intimidation, or the perpetrator’s position of authority over the victim is used to accomplish the sexual act; or
 

(b) Whoever causes personal injury to a victim as the result of an act of rape as set forth in section 1701 of this title; or
 

(c) Whoever uses a deadly weapon during the commission of an act of rape as set forth in section 1701-
 

is guilty of aggravated rape in the first degree and shall be imprisoned for life or for any term of years, but not less than 15 years. Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 5, chapters 313, 405 and 407, Virgin Islands Code, or any other provisions of law, imposition or execution of the fifteen-year minimum period of incarceration shall not be suspended; neither shall probation, parole, or any other form of release be granted for this minimum period of incarceration.
 

Whoever is convicted of a second or subsequent offense of aggravated rape in the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment for life or for any term of years, but not less than 25 years. Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 5, chapters 313, 405 and 407, Virgin Islands Code, or any other provision of law, imposition or execution of the twenty-five year minimum period of incarceration shall not be suspended; neither shall probation, parole, or any other form of release be granted for this minimum period of incarceration.
 

(d) Whoever is convicted of attempted aggravated rape in the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 25 years, but not less than 7 years. Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 5, chapters 313, 405 and 407, or any other provision of law, imposition or execution of the seven-year period of incarceration shall not be suspended, nor shall probation, parole or another form of release be granted for this minimum period of incarceration.
 

(e) Whoever is found guilty of an offense in this section shall receive a psychiatric evaluation and participate in psychosocial counseling.
 

(f) Spousal consent shall be an affirmative defense in the event the persons are legally married pursuant to the provisions of title 16, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code.