Governor Kathy Hochul On Friday, he signed a bill that would decriminalize cheating on your spouse. The law, from 1907, could send people to jail for three months.
“These matters clearly should be handled by these individuals and not by our criminal justice system,” Governor Hochul said. “Let’s get this stupid, outdated statute off the books once and for all.”
The law was rarely used. Assemblyman Charles Levine, who sponsored the bill to repeal the law, said that since the 1970s, about 12 people have been charged, with only five convicted.
“Laws are meant to protect our community and serve as a deterrent against antisocial behavior. New York’s adultery law has served neither purpose,” Levine said.
Many states had similar laws to make divorce difficult. These laws are now rarely used.
New York nearly repealed the law in the 1960s, but some politicians argued against it. The last known use of the law was in 2010, but the charge was dropped.
