US Woman Faces Jail Time For Adultery
An Arizona woman could be jailed for adultery if her estranged husband's requests for an adultery law to be enforced are finally granted.
Traci Banks is accused of having several extra-marital affairs during her 17-year marriage to David Banks and now faces criminal charges, according to ABC news.
While Traci admits to having two affairs, David insists she committed adultery many more times and spent years urging police in Glendale, Ariz. to investigate, which they have finally agreed to do.
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According to an Arizona statute, a married person who commits adultery under any circumstances "is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor."
It also states that, "no prosecution for adultery shall be commenced except upon complaint of the husband or wife."
Therefore Banks could be prosecuted as a result of David's complaint to law enforcement. If she is found guilty she faces up to one month in prison or a hefty fine.
Critics have questioned the ethics behind law enforcement weighing in on marriage issues, with some arguing that it is an unethical interference and that marriage is a private matter that should be kept between the two parties.
Other critics have taken to Twitter arguing in favor of the controversial law, insisting that it acts as an incentive for spouses to remain faithful.
"Go Arizona. They have a adultery law. $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Bet you don't cheat then," Kasi Smith tweeted.
"Just learned Adultery is against the law in Arizona - Class III misdemeanor. I think every state should have this law. #marriage #affair," Chris Shumate wrote.
David was unsympathetic about the prospect of his estranged wife going to jail for cheating on him and suggested it would be a good example for others.
“If they used it all the time, maybe women or men would think twice about going and jumping in the sack and throwing away their marriage,” he told CBS affiliate KPHO.
