An indictment for keeping a house of ill fame, assignation house or house of like character, shall be sufficient if it be in form, tenor or effect as follows (after following the form in section one):

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 62-9-21

  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

That A ………….., on the …….. day of …….., nineteen …….., in the said county of …….., and within one year before the finding of this indictment, did unlawfully keep and maintain a certain house of ill fame, assignation house or house of like character, resorted to for the purposes of prostitution and lewdness, against the peace and dignity of the state.

And for letting a house for like purposes, the indictment shall be sufficient if it be in the following form, tenor or effect (after following the form in section one):

That A……………, on the ………… day of ……………., nineteen …………, in the said county of …………., and within one year before the finding of this indictment, being the owner of a certain house then and there situate in said county at …….., did then and there unlawfully and knowingly lease, let, rent and permit the same to be rented, leased and used , unlawfully and knowingly, by B …………… for the purpose of prostitution and lewdness, against the peace and dignity of the state.