Chap. 485.—An ACT’ concerning slander and libel and prescribing the punish-
ment therefor. [H B 303]
Approved March 25, 1920.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That if any
person shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish, of
and concerning any female of chaster character, any words derogatory
»f said female’s character for virtue and chastity, or imputing to said
female acts not virtuous and chaste, he shall be deemed guilty of a
nisdemeanor, and on conviction shall be fined not less than twenty-
ive dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail
10t more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. And
f any person shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and pub-
ish, of and concerning another person, any words which from their
isual construction and common acceptation are construed as insults
und tend to violence and breach of the peace or shall use grossly in-
sulting language to any female of good character or reputation, he
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall! be
fined not less than five dollars, nor more than one hundred dollars. oz
imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding sixty days, either or both.

The defendant shall be entitled to prove upon trial in mitigation of
the publishment, the provocation which induced the libelous or slander-
ous words, or any other fact or circumstance tending to disprove
malice, or lessen the criminality of the offense.