"New York Considers Repealing Century-Old Law Against Cheating on Spouse"

New York's 1907 law criminalizing adultery may soon be repealed as a bill to remove the seldom-used law makes its way through the state legislature. The law, punishable by up to three months in jail, has rarely been enforced, with only about a dozen people charged since 1972 and just five convictions. Assemblyman Charles Lavine, who sponsored the bill, argues that the law is outdated and should not be used to police the private lives of consenting adults. Similar efforts to repeal adultery laws are underway in other states, and questions about the constitutionality of such laws have been raised in light of recent Supreme Court decisions.