"Lewd and Lascivious" and Other Legal Terms in Old Sex Statutes
In short
The phrase comes from statutes such as North Carolina's 1805 law, which punishes an unmarried man and woman who "lewdly and lasciviously associate, bed and cohabit together." Mississippi speaks of unlawful cohabitation, and South Carolina of habitual carnal intercourse. The statutes target an ongoing sexual relationship rather than shared housing; North Carolina's does not reach platonic roommates.
What the full article will cover
- What does lewd and lascivious mean?
- What counts as cohabitation in these laws?
- What is habitual carnal intercourse?
- Why did lawmakers use such formulas?
- Do the terms still appear in modern codes?
Frequently asked questions
- Are roommates guilty of cohabitation?
- Is lewd and lascivious conduct a separate crime?
- What does carnal knowledge mean?
Sources
- ncleg.gov — https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarticle/chapter_14/article_26.html
- syfert.com — https://syfert.com/mississippi/sections/97-29-1.html
- scstatehouse.gov — https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c015.php
- wcnc.com — https://wcnc.com/article/news/local/no-shacking-up-yes-living-in-sin-is-still-a-crime/83-4c2eea16-7bb6-411d-8c5b-82668b11e8ac
General information, not legal or religious advice.