Could Seduction Lead to a Felony Charge in Michigan?

Next time you think about hitting on a woman at a bar in Michigan, you may want to think again. Seducing an unmarried woman in the state of Michigan, in theory, could put you in the slammer. This law dates back to the early 1930s.

MCL (Michigan Compiled Laws) - Section 750.532 states that

    Punishment—Any man who shall seduce and debauch any unmarried woman shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than 2,500 dollars; but no prosecution shall be commenced under this section after 1 year from the time of committing the offense.

Now, what exactly does that mean? 

In simple terms, MCL - Section 750.532 deals with the crime of seduction in Michigan. Seduction, in this context, typically refers to the act of enticing or persuading someone into engaging in sexual activity, often with the promise of marriage or some other form of commitment.

This law outlines the legal consequences for individuals who are found guilty of seducing someone. Specifically, if the person seduced is unmarried and of chaste character (meaning they have a reputation for being morally virtuous).

This law is widely ignored and unused due to its outdated nature. However, it has been used as legal persuasion in various court cases, mainly in Michigan plea deals regarding sexual assault. You may remember it from a case regarding three Michigan State University football players in 2018. 

Michigan lawmakers attempted to repeal the law in 2007. The bill did not advance out of committee.

Something to chew on for the next time you're feeling frisky.