Virginia Panel Rejects Bill to Decriminalize Adultery

[geminibear]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/virginia-panel-rejects-bill-decriminalize-adultery-36360533

 

Really?

 

A legislative panel has rejected a bill to decriminalize adultery in Virginia, one of about a dozen states where infidelity is a crime.

 

Virginia law classifies marital infidelity as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250. Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell of Fairfax County proposed keeping the $250 penalty but making adultery a civil offense.

 

Surovell said that in the last decade, there have been just eight successful prosecutions for adultery in Virginia. He said only about a dozen states treat it as a crime.

 

Media outlets report that the Senate Courts of Justice Committee killed the measure on a voice vote Monday.

 

Republican Sen. Ryan McDougle of Hanover County said that while there may not be many convictions, the charge can be a useful tool in prosecuting other offenses.

 

http://cdn2.insidermonkey.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/11052819/shutterstock_238470448-750x500.jpg

[+ quoththeraven]

Like, why? It sounds like a form of legal blackmail: plead gulty to the crime we really care about or be charged/go to trial on that and adultery charges.

 

Besides, as heterosexual marriage becomes more egalitarian and drifts from its original purpose as a way for men to pass property to and through recognized, legitimate heirs, what is the point? Some married couples are swingers or are in open, non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships. There's no reason to apply the statute to them, but I'll bet on its terms it could be.

[+ glennnn]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know Virginia's policy on fornication, and sodomy, gay marriage, and other issues affecting our community. I'm just wondering if it's true that "Virginia is for lovers", which is their tourism slogan, or if it is only for married heterosexual couples.

[+ glennnn]

Thanks for the answer.

[+ Gar1eth]

Texas eliminated adultery as a crime in the 1970's. In fact we were so enlightened we also eliminated seduction and bestiality as crimes at the same time. Of course around the same time the Texas Legislature in its infinite wisdom criminalized homosexual sodomy while allowing heterosexual sodomy.

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

I'm just wondering if it's true that "Virginia is for lovers"

You misheard. It's Virginia is for livers.

 

http://dish.allrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Liverginia-via-Foodiggity.jpg

 

[+ FreshFluff]

Texas eliminated adultery as a crime in the 1970's. In fact we were so enlightened we also eliminated seduction and bestiality as crimes at the same time.

 

I thought there was a lot of case law involving seduction under false pretenses. For the most part, it's never been found to be a criminal act.