Adultery Is A Felony In Oklahoma

Perhaps the least prosecuted felony in Oklahoma's history is Adultery. Yet the state has, since 1910, insisted that the crime needs to stay in the statutory code. they even amended it in 1999.

§21-871.  Adultery defined - Who may institute prosecution.

Adultery is the unlawful voluntary sexual intercourse of a married person with one of the opposite sex; and when the crime is between persons, only one of whom is married, both are guilty of adultery. Prosecution for adultery can be commenced and carried on against either of the parties to the crime only by his or her own husband or wife as the case may be, or by the husband or wife of the other party to the crime: Provided, that any person may make complaint when persons are living together in open and notorious adultery.

R.L.1910, § 2431.

§21-872.  Punishment for adultery.

Any person guilty of the crime of adultery shall be guilty of a felony and punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years or by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

R.L. 1910, § 2432.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 259, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 163, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 259 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.