When an Idaho County Prosecuted Teenagers for Fornication
In short
One well-documented case came in 1996, when the Gem County prosecutor in Idaho used a 1921 state fornication law against about half a dozen young people, mainly teenage parents on public assistance. The offense carried up to six months in jail and a $300 fine. Idaho repealed its fornication law in 2022.
What the full article will cover
- What happened in Gem County in 1996?
- Which law did prosecutors use?
- Who was charged and what sentences followed?
- How did the public react?
- How did Idaho finally repeal the law?
Frequently asked questions
- Who was Amanda Smisek?
- Why were teenage parents targeted?
- Is fornication still a crime in Idaho?
Sources
- archive.seattletimes.com — https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960715/2339310/idaho-county-fights-teen-sex-using-old-fornication-law----unwed-mothers-boyfriends-key-targets
- legislature.idaho.gov — https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2022/legislation/S1325.pdf
- icjc.idaho.gov — https://icjc.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ICJC-Sex-Offense-Subcommittee-Minutes-October-2021-APPROVED.pdf
General information, not legal or religious advice.