Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301 (2026)

Corruption of minors.

✓ current as of May 2026

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CHAPTER 63

MINORS

Sec.

6301. Corruption of minors.

6302. Sale or lease of weapons and explosives.

6303. Sale of starter pistols.

6304. Sale and use of air rifles.

6305. Sale of tobacco products.

6306. Furnishing cigarettes or cigarette papers (Repealed).

6306.1. Use of tobacco products in schools prohibited.

6307. Misrepresentation of age to secure liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

6308. Purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

6308.1. Safe harbor for violation of section 6308(a).

6309. Representing that minor is of age.

6310. Inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

6310.1. Selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors.

6310.2. Manufacture or sale of false identification card.

6310.3. Carrying a false identification card.

6310.4. Restriction of operating privileges (Repealed).

6310.5. Predisposition evaluation.

6310.6. Definitions.

6310.7. Selling or furnishing nonalcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.

6311. Tattooing and body piercing.

6312. Sexual abuse of children.

6313. Special information.

6314. Sentencing and penalties for trafficking drugs to minors.

6315. Selling or furnishing butane to minors.

6316. Selling or furnishing certain stimulants to minors.

6317. Drug-free school zones.

6318. Unlawful contact with minor.

6319. Solicitation of minors to traffic drugs.

6320. Sexual exploitation of children.

6321. Transmission of sexually explicit images by minor.

6322. Access of minors to dextromethorphan.

Enactment. Chapter 63 was added December 6, 1972, P.L.1482, No.334, effective in six months.

Cross References. Chapter 63 is referred to in section 2101 of Title 5 (Athletics and Sports).

§ 6301. Corruption of minors.

(a) Offense defined.--

(1) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), whoever, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any act corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of any minor less than 18 years of age, or who aids, abets, entices or encourages any such minor in the commission of any crime, or who knowingly assists or encourages such minor in violating his or her parole or any order of court, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(ii) Whoever, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any course of conduct in violation of Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses) corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of any minor less than 18 years of age, or who aids, abets, entices or encourages any such minor in the commission of an offense under Chapter 31 commits a felony of the third degree.

(2) Any person who knowingly aids, abets, entices or encourages a minor younger than 18 years of age to commit truancy commits a summary offense. Any person who violates this paragraph within one year of the date of a first conviction under this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. A conviction under this paragraph shall not, however, constitute a prohibition under section 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms).

(b) Adjudication of delinquency unnecessary.--A conviction under the provisions of this section may be had whether or not the jurisdiction of any juvenile court has attached or shall thereafter attach to such minor or whether or not such minor has been adjudicated a delinquent or shall thereafter be adjudicated a delinquent.

(c) Presumptions.--In trials and hearings upon charges of violating the provisions of this section, knowledge of the minor's age and of the court's orders and decrees concerning such minor shall be presumed in the absence of proof to the contrary.

(d) Mistake as to age.--

(1) Whenever in this section the criminality of conduct depends upon the corruption of a minor whose actual age is under 16 years, it is no defense that the actor did not know the age of the minor or reasonably believed the minor to be older than 18 years.

(2) Whenever in this section the criminality of conduct depends upon the corruption of a minor whose actual age is 16 years or more but less than 18 years, it is a defense for the actor to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he reasonably believed the minor to be 18 years or older.

(e) Sentencing enhancement.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, under 42 Pa.C.S. § 2154 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a sentencing enhancement for the courts to consider in cases involving a violation of subsection (a)(1)(ii) where the defendant is a mandated reporter under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6311 (relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse).

(July 1, 1978, P.L.573, No.104, eff. 60 days; July 11, 1996, P.L.552, No.98, eff. 60 days; Oct. 7, 2010, P.L.482, No.69, eff. 60 days; June 27, 2025, P.L.6, No.5, eff. 60 days)

2025 Amendment. Act 5 added subsec. (e).

2010 Amendment. Act 69 amended subsec. (a)(1).

1996 Amendment. Act 98 amended subsec. (a).

1978 Amendment. Act 104 added present section 6301. Former section 6301, relating to the same subject matter, was repealed November 28, 1973, P.L.341, No.117.

Cross References. Section 6301 is referred to in sections 3104, 6105, 6318, 9122.1, 9122.3 of this title; sections 5329, 6344 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); sections 5552, 5920, 5985.1, 5993, 62A03, 9718.1, 9799.14 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); section 6138 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole); section 3113 of Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 528 cases (128 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Strafford, 194 A.3d 168 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).

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Commonwealth v. Strafford, 194 A.3d 168 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). · cites it 8× “," "complainant," and/or "minor complainant"). See Petition to Admit Out-of-Court Statements Under the "Tender Years Hearsay Exception.”

Commonwealth v. Kelly, 102 A.3d 1025 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). · cites it 7× “18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a) (emphasis added). Appellant was convicted under subsection (a)(l)(ii), the felony grading of the corruption of minors statute.”

United States v. Andrew F. Galo, 239 F.3d 572 (3rd Cir. 2001). · cites it 6× “” As recited earlier, Galo’s state convictions were for two counts each of: (1) Corruption of Minors in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6301; (2) Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of 18 Pa.”

Com. v. Rivera, H., 312 A.3d 366 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 4× “This is also true for the crime of corruption of minors, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301, as section 5920(b) testimony is only admissible if the defendant is charged under subsections (a)(1)(i) “if the offense involved sexual contact with the - 14 - J-S03038-24 victim,”8 or (a)(1)(ii).”

Chancellor v. Pottsgrove Sch. Dist., 501 F. Supp. 2d 695 (E.D. Pa. 2007). · cites it 4× “), in violation of 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 6301. 3 Following Oakes’s arrest, Plaintiff attempted suicide and was repeatedly hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, including major depressive disorder.”

Daniel Binderup v. Attorney Gen. United States, 836 F.3d 336 (3rd Cir. 2016). · cites it 2× “18 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 6301 (a)(1)(i), 1104.”

Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Shower, W., 147 A.3d 517 (Pa. 2016). · cites it 2× “Grace agreed to plead guilty to corruption of minors and indecent assault. In exchange for Grace’s guilty pleas, the Commonwealth nolle prossed the unlawful-contact-with-a-minor charge and recommended an aggregate sentence of three years of probation.”

Commonwealth v. Leatherby, 116 A.3d 73 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). · cites it 2× “3 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1). 4 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(7).”

Commonwealth v. Tiffany, 926 A.2d 503 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2007). · cites it 6× “[5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301. [6] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503(b)(1)(ii).”

Commonwealth v. Dillon, 925 A.2d 131 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 2× “[5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301. [6] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3122.”

Commonwealth v. Walker, 139 A.3d 225 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). · cites it 3× “A person is guilty under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a) if he corrupts the morals of a minor or encourages a minor to commit a crime.”

Commonwealth v. Bundy, 96 A.3d 390 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). · cites it 4× “However, Appellant was charged and convicted of corruption of minors under former 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1) (subsequently amended Oct.”

Show all 528 citing cases →

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(1) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Humphreys, 1 Pa. D. & C.5th 403 (2007).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(1)(ii) — 2 cases

Com. v. Pickard, T. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

Com. v. Dennison, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(2)(1)(i) — 1 case

Com. v. Shelton, T. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(2)(1)(ii) — 1 case

Com. v. Shelton, T. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(4) — 1 case

Com. v. Baker, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(A)(1)(i) — 3 cases

Com. v. Jackson, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).

Com. v. Figueroa-Fagot, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(A)(1)(ii) — 1 case

Com. v. Brooke, A., Jr. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(A)(l)(ii) — 1 case

Com. v. Cloward, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a) — 64 cases

Commonwealth v. Meals, 912 A.2d 213 (Pa. 2006).

Commonwealth v. Tiffany, 926 A.2d 503 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2007). “[5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301. [6] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503(b)(1)(ii).”

Commonwealth v. Williams, 733 A.2d 593 (Pa. 1999).

Commonwealth v. Pankraz, 554 A.2d 974 (Pa. 1989).

Commonwealth v. Walker, 139 A.3d 225 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “A person is guilty under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a) if he corrupts the morals of a minor or encourages a minor to commit a crime.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(1) — 108 cases

Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Shower, W., 147 A.3d 517 (Pa. 2016). “Grace agreed to plead guilty to corruption of minors and indecent assault. In exchange for Grace’s guilty pleas, the Commonwealth nolle prossed the unlawful-contact-with-a-minor charge and recommended an aggregate sentence of three years of probation.”

Commonwealth v. Leatherby, 116 A.3d 73 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “3 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1). 4 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(7).”

Chancellor v. Pottsgrove Sch. Dist., 501 F. Supp. 2d 695 (E.D. Pa. 2007). “), in violation of 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 6301. 3 Following Oakes’s arrest, Plaintiff attempted suicide and was repeatedly hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, including major depressive disorder.”

Commonwealth v. Kelley, 136 A.3d 1007 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

Commonwealth v. Jones, 912 A.2d 815 (Pa. 2006).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(1)(h) — 2 cases

Commonwealth v. Kelly, 102 A.3d 1025 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a) (emphasis added). Appellant was convicted under subsection (a)(l)(ii), the felony grading of the corruption of minors statute.”

Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt., 164 A.3d 1189 (Pa. 2017).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(1)(i) — 84 cases

Commonwealth v. Walker, 139 A.3d 225 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “A person is guilty under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a) if he corrupts the morals of a minor or encourages a minor to commit a crime.”

Com. v. Rivera, H., 312 A.3d 366 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “This is also true for the crime of corruption of minors, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301, as section 5920(b) testimony is only admissible if the defendant is charged under subsections (a)(1)(i) “if the offense involved sexual contact with the - 14 - J-S03038-24 victim,”8 or (a)(1)(ii).”

Commonwealth v. Largaespada, 184 A.3d 1002 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).

Commonwealth v. Semenza, 127 A.3d 1 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).

Commonwealth v. Baker-Myers, 210 A.3d 1093 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(1)(ii) — 143 cases

Commonwealth v. Strafford, 194 A.3d 168 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “," "complainant," and/or "minor complainant"). See Petition to Admit Out-of-Court Statements Under the "Tender Years Hearsay Exception.”

Commonwealth v. Izurieta, 171 A.3d 803 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).

Com. v. Merced, A., 308 A.3d 1277 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).

Com. v. Saez, R., 225 A.3d 169 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(2) — 3 cases

Com. v. Rivera, H., 2024 Pa. Super. 48 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).

Com. v. Edwards, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(i) — 3 cases

Com. v. Grayson, P. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).

Com. v. Grayson, P. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).

Com. v. Santiago, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(ii) — 1 case

Com. v. Greenawalt, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(l) — 13 cases

Commonwealth v. Humphreys, 1 Pa. D. & C.5th 403 (2007).

Commonwealth v. Vaux, 8 Pa. D. & C.5th 87 (2009).

Commonwealth v. Sunday, 13 Pa. D. & C.5th 406 (2010).

Commonwealth v. Lungin, 77 Pa. D. & C.4th 267 (2005).

Commonwealth v. Clark, 83 Pa. D. & C.4th 164 (2007).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(l)(i) — 2 cases

Com. v. Lawrence, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(a)(l)(ii) — 7 cases

Commonwealth v. Bundy, 96 A.3d 390 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “However, Appellant was charged and convicted of corruption of minors under former 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1) (subsequently amended Oct.”

Commonwealth v. Diaz, 152 A.3d 1040 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

Commonwealth v. Shelton, 170 A.3d 549 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).

Com. v. Lawrence, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(b) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Decker, 698 A.2d 99 (Pa. 1997).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6301(d) — 1 case

Com. v. Luskey, S. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

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