Welp, in case you missed it: New York just dropped a major bombshell on Friday, officially repealing a law that had criminalized cheating on your spouse. That’s right! That old school misdemeanor from way back in 1907, which could’ve landed you in the clink for three months if you were caught stepping out, is now history.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who’s been happily married for 40 years, signed the bill…saying, “While I’ve been fortunate to share a loving married life with my husband for 40 years – making it somewhat ironic for me to sign a bill decriminalizing adultery – I know that people often have complex relationships.”
Basically, she’s saying that marriage gets complicated and it’s not the job of the criminal justice system to get involved in those messy situations.
For those who didn’t know, adultery laws have existed in several states, mostly to make divorce harder back in the day. But enforcement? That’s the kicker—charges were super rare, and convictions even rarer. State Assemblymember Charles Lavine pointed out that since the ’70s, only about a dozen folks were actually charged under this law, and just five were convicted. Lavine stated, “Laws are meant to protect our community… New York’s adultery law advanced neither purpose.”
This law was basically collecting dust, having last been used in 2010 when a woman got caught in a park—though her charge got dropped in a plea deal. New York almost removed this relic back in the ’60s, too, when experts said it was nearly impossible to enforce.
So there you have it—cheating on your spouse is no longer a crime in the Big Apple, and the law is finally getting with the times. Outdated rules are getting tossed out, letting people handle their relationships without the law breathing down their necks.
Socialites what are your thoughts on this? Sound off in the comment box below!