It's an unwritten rule in (most) marriages: be faithful. Well, actually it IS written somewhere in your vows, but it usually goes without saying. That said, cheating happens in many relationships. Generally speaking, it's up to the couple to decide what happens next. But in one Midwestern state, it could get the offender arrested.

Don't be cheatin' in Wisconsin

While there is no set rule on punishing cheaters in any US state, there are several (Iowa is not one) that have laws somewhere deep on the books to deal with such an issue. And no, I mean they say "Hire a good attorney". Wisconsin is a state that has a pretty strict top penalty for stepping out on a spouse.

According to the website The Week, many European countries previously had anti-adultery laws, but do not anymore. However, in the US, there are some states, 21 in fact, that still do.

The Week adds that in 11 of the states cheating on your spouse is only considered a misdemeanor while it's a felony in Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
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According to The Week, Wisconsin is one such state where it's not a misdemeanor, it's a full-blown felony to cheat.

Prepare to pay up and maybe go to prison

Cheat in Wisconsin, and should a judge throw the book at you, you best be prepared to pay up, and possibly do some hard time, too!

The penalty, should it be fully enforced according to Women's Day, is a frightening $10,000 and up to three years of jail time. YIKES. The other states where it's a felony to cheat are Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Oklahoma.

While Iowa has no laws like this, I did find one state where it's illegal, but barely. In Mayland, if you get busted for cheating, the fine is $10. So don't cheat in Maryland if you're down to your last few pennies.

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