Legal Definitions - fornication

Fornication, also known as premarital sex, is when two unmarried individuals engage in sexual intercourse. In the past, laws against fornication only applied to heterosexual couples, and some laws only considered a woman's marital status. For example, if a married man had sex with an unmarried woman, it would be considered fornication, but if a married woman had sex with an unmarried man, it would be considered adultery. However, fornication laws cannot be enforced today due to a Supreme Court decision that protects a person's private sexual acts.

• John and Jane, who are not married, have sex. This is an example of fornication.
• In the past, if a married man had sex with an unmarried woman, it would be considered fornication.
• Today, fornication laws cannot be enforced due to a Supreme Court decision.

These examples illustrate that fornication is when two unmarried individuals engage in sexual intercourse. It also shows how fornication laws used to be enforced differently depending on the gender and marital status of the individuals involved. However, these laws cannot be enforced today due to a Supreme Court decision that protects a person's right to engage in private sexual acts.