New Hampshire's Virtual Town Hall

Adultery is a awful law

When I first joined the website, the issue of adultery law completely jumped out at me. I can be considered somewhat "new" to the laws of NH since I reside in Connecticut. However, I was unaware that there was even a law in which someone could be given a misdemeanor or a fine on this matter. Now that I have researched the issue, I think that this law is completely ridiculous and under no circumstance should someone be given a punishment of this nature.

The more and more that I look into the matter of marriage I completely understand that it is a binding contract however, is there really much value in a marriage nowadays? We live in a society in which the divorce rate is increasing at an alarming rate. Adultery in all cases should be completely frowned upon but there is no crime involved. As we grow as people we are given the opportunity to make choices on a plethora of matters. Along with choices, people often make terrible decisions that they in fact have to live with. I find it hard to believe that if a party of the marriage commits adultery they don't have guilt or regret. I personally don't know the feeling but I can safely assume that internally it must be eating them alive about their wrongdoings unless this behavior is habitual.

A misdemeanor typically from my understanding is a type of criminal behavior, adultery is wrong nevertheless not even close to crime. Misdemeanors go on a criminal record forever, if my record is tarnished because of a choice that I made regarding my sexual behavior I would become enraged. I understand that it is rarely charged, but the issue is that the option is still available. The government has control on many of our rights however regarding our sexual behavior they should leave them alone.