19 May 2001
Kevin Walsh
**** N **** *****
Phoenix AZ 85***-****
The Honorable Steve May
Arizona State House of Representatives
1700 W Washington
Phoenix AZ 85007
Cc: Senator Smith, Representative Hatch-Miller
Dear Mr. May:
I would like to congratulate you on your succesful campaign to repeal Arizona's archane sex laws. Your work to keep the police out of the bedrooms of consenting adults is much appreciated!
As you are likely aware there is a high profile case in Utah in which a polygamist, Tom Green, has been convicted of bigamy for having five wives. He could face up to 25 years in prison for this consentual sexual relationship.
This particular law does not affect us here in Arizona, and we obviously can do nothing about the laws of Uth, but Arizona also has a statute criminalizing bigamy, even when it is consentual. ARS 13-3606 makes bigamy a class five felony in Arizona. I believe that this statute should be revised so as not to penalize the private sexual relationships of consenting adults.
I do not recommend decriminalizing all bigamy. Obviously bigamy with the intent to defraud, particularly serial bigamy, and bigamy without the knowledge of the other spouse or spouses, are socially harmful practices. I do recommend decriminlizing honest and open bigamy and polygamy in which all partners are adults.
Thank you for your time, and keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Kevin Walsh