Since 1907, adultery in the state of New York has been categorized as a misdemeanor, a low-level criminal offense.
Historically, states in the US have implemented legislation of this kind in an effort to lower the divorce rate, as getting a divorce was the only method to end a marriage that involved adultery.
But since 1972, only a dozen or so persons have been charged in New York; the most recent prosecution occurred more than ten years ago.
Only five of those cases have resulted in convictions, according to assemblyman Charles Lavine of New York, who is the sponsor of a bill to remove the little used statute.
“It just makes no sense whatsoever, and we’ve come a long way since intimate relationships between consenting adults are considered immoral,” he stated.
It’s a jest. Someone’s moral wrath was expressed in this statute.”
