In a ruling sure to make philandering spouses squirm, Michigan's second-highest court says that anyone involved in an extramarital fling can be prosecuted for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

What a reading!  Consensual sex is illegal when a felony is involved.  I'm waiting for a ruling on "criminal breathing" now.  

There's so many ironies in this story.  The Attorney General who pressed for this ruling has confessed to an adulterous affair.  

The attorney general claims that nobody will be prosecuted under it, but when disgruntled spouses begin to press charges as they probably will, are the laws just going to be ignored?  

I do like the fact that the judges were completely constructionist here.  The told the legislature that it was the only ruling they could make: fix it.  It will be interesting to see if the legislators have the balls to change this.  

It might be both interesting and tragic, in fact, for people in Michigan.

Easy to say that Adulterous affairs should not be prosecuted... as the victim of it... I would offer a different perspective... I NEVER suspected that I was being cheated on.  Ever.  I am far removed in time from it now, and can see some of the humor, but my ex got away with a lot.... if I had it to do over.... I would do it differently - much differently.  so while, in general I agree that this is a dumb law, as one who has been there, and had that done to him..... it makes some element of sense....

If they don't change the law.

There's too much resentment in adultery for people not to press charges.  Besides that, it's too good of a threat.

Bizzaro, I strongly suggest to you read a book I'm almost finished with now: Laura Kipnis' "Against Love: A Polemic."  You will never look at your marriage and adulterous affairs the same way.  I'm going to review it here soon.