“Living in Sin” is Actually Illegal in Michigan
There is an old law in Michigan that actually makes living in sin illegal. The law has been in effect since 1931 and was started to prevent "gross lewdness".
According to this law, couples that are unmarried, and unrelated that live together could face a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. It's definitely an antiquated law, and according to WNEM, there have been multiple failed attempts to get rid of it all together.
I have so many questions about this law. First of all, in full disclosure, my boyfriend and I have lived together for eight years, so I am 100% breaking this law. My first question is how do you get "caught" living in sin? Would someone have to make a serious call to the police and report us? I would love to listen in on those calls. Aren't the police too busy with actual crimes to worry about a couple happily living together before marriage? How many people have actually gotten jail time or a fine for living in sin since 1931?
I will do more research on this law and in the meantime hope, no one reports me.