Cheat on your spouse in Michigan and spend life in prison?

Thu Jan 18, 8:16 AM ET
DETROIT, United States (AFP) - Philanderers beware: spouses caught cheating in Michigan could end up spending the rest of their life in prison.
And not the emotional kind.

The state's appeals court recently ruled that extramarital flings can be prosecuted as first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in jail.

"We cannot help but question whether the Legislature actually intended the result we reach here today," Judge William Murphy wrote in a unanimous Court of Appeals panel, "but we are curtailed by the language of the statute from reaching any other conclusion."

"Technically," he added, "any time a person engages in sexual penetration in an adulterous relationship, he or she is guilty of CSC I," the most serious sexual assault charge in the state's criminal code.

Michigan still lists adultery as a felony, although no one has been convicted of the offense since 1971.

Nobody really expects prosecutors to go after cheating spouses. But the ruling has the local legal community twittering about its genuine intended target.

One theory floating around the courthouse is that the judges were taking a jab at the state Supreme Court, which has decreed that judges must interpret statutory language adopted by the Legislature literally, whatever the consequences.

Many other states allow judges to reject a literal interpretation if they believe it would lead to an absurd result.

Judge Murphy wrote that he encouraged "the Legislature to take a second look at the statutory language if they are troubled by our ruling."

A spokesman for the attoney general, who publicly admitted to adultery in November, declined to say whether they would press for legislative amendments to make it clear that only violent felonies involving an unwilling victim could trigger a first-degree CSC charge.

"This is so bizarre that it doesn't even merit a response," Rusty Hill said.

The appeals court decision involved a man convicted of trading prescription painkillers for sex.

In an attempt to increase his jail time, prosecutors used an obscure provision of the state's criminal law to charge him with criminal sexual conduct, which occurs whenever "sexual penetration occurs under circumstances involving the commission of any other felony."


[/url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070118/lf_afp/usjusticesexoffbeat_070118055859[url]


They gotta be kidding.

as if the court system isn't busy enough

evenstar3 said:

I know. I was just talking to someone about this last nite.

Like, a buch of guys I know got caught doin shit when they were on workmans comp, so they can't go back on or whatever.

So, comp ppl are busy drivin around trying to catch ppl liftin shit on comp.

Thats cool. Like theres not more important shit to worry about.

SureThing said:

that's fucked up.

This is one of those laws that has been on the books since caveman days. I dont think anyone is going to be charged with infidelity here in Michigan. The whole thing sounds absurd.

Like I mentioned on the thread in P&R on this

some marriages ...instead of the "kissthe bride"

should be issued a

go to jail go directly to jail do not pass go do not collect 200$ card

Good thing DanceWme doesn't live in Michigan. She'd be in deep shit!

retina said:

LMAO I just saw this u ASS

DanceWme said:

You know you want it.

retina said:

DanceWme said:

Oh come on, am I the only male in the universe that you aren't lusting for?



Just look at it. It's pretty nice, isn't it? Just a little bit?

.

retina said:

hurry up!

DanceWme said:

DanceWme said:

Wasn't I a real superman in bed?

retina said:

U were the best!








** runnin away to vomit **

DanceWme said:

Awww, you're on a speed diet just for me.

No need though, I'm ready for sweet luuurvin anyway. Take off those knicks knickers and we'll go at it again.

retina said:

um..I cant. I gotta uh.. go walk my fish

DanceWme said:

Here, take it then:

retina said:

I love it when u beat me. SO romantic

DanceWme said:

I know. I'll even take you out for a nice romantic hot dog dinner on the street corner afterwards.

retina said:

Are we goin to ur place afterwards cuz uh..my honey is home

DanceWme said:

Sure, I've cleaned the place up just for you.

retina said:

awww I love the piss staind cardboard.
I think I love u

DanceWme said:

Oh that? That's actually some booze I spilled last night. The piss is on the wood, on the other side of the grand boudoir there. It sucks it up better.
I do have some quaint solids underneath the plastic though. It's mighty comfy and warm too.

retina said:

I'll be there in one hour