N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 14
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-184 (2026)

Fornication and adultery

✓ current as of July 2026
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If any man and woman, not being married to each other, shall lewdly and lasciviously associate, bed and cohabit together, they shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor:  Provided, that the admissions or confessions of one shall not be received in evidence against the other. (1805, c. 684, P.R.; R.C., c. 34, s. 45; Code, s. 1041; Rev., s. 3350; C.S., s. 4343; 1969, c. 1224, s. 9; 1993, c. 539, s. 119; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1948–2022 · leading case: State v. Holden, 450 S.E.2d 878 (N.C. 1994).
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State v. Holden, 450 S.E.2d 878 (N.C. 1994). · cites it 12× “See N.C.G.S. § 14-184 (1993) ("If any man and woman, not being married to each other, shall lewdly and lasciviously associate, bed and cohabit together, they shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Malecek v. Williams, 804 S.E.2d 592 (N.C. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-184 . This may be because many other applications of this criminal statute are plainly unconstitutional and the State has concerns that this application would be as well.”
Wilson v. Swing, 463 F. Supp. 555 (M.D.N.C. 1978). · cites it 2× “He complains that the requirement of truthfulness under 490.66, coupled with the alleged failure of Lt.”
Nicholson v. Hugh Chatham Mem'l Hosp., Inc., 266 S.E.2d 818 (N.C. 1980). “Because G.S. 14-184 makes fornication and adultery a misdemeanor in this State, the only sexual relationship the law protects is that between married partners.”
Lewell Marcum v. James McWhorter as Interim Sheriff of Pulaski Cnty., Kentucky, 308 F.3d 635 (6th Cir. 2002). “30 ; N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-184; R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-6-2; S.”
City of Sherman v. Henry, 928 S.W.2d 464 (Tex. 1996). “17 (1989); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-184 (1990); N.D. Cent.”
Cantwell v. Cantwell, 427 S.E.2d 129 (N.C. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 2× “See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-184 (1986). Therefore, the defendant could properly invoke the privilege in the course of her deposition testimony.”
Owens v. State, 724 A.2d 43 (Md. 1999). “§ 97-29-1 (1994); N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-184 (1993); S.C.Code Ann.”
State v. Poe, 252 S.E.2d 843 (N.C. Ct. App. 1979). “We hold that the constitutional right of privacy does not protect the defendant in this case.”
Ganzy v. Allen Christian Sch., 995 F. Supp. 340 (E.D.N.Y 1998). “, N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-184 (1993); But cf., e.”
Leonard v. Williams, 397 S.E.2d 321 (N.C. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 3× “We assume he refers to the offense of adultery under N.C.G.S. § 14-184 (1986). However, adultery is a misdemeanor under our statutes, and is therefore subject to a two-year statute of limitations.”
Cannon v. Miller, 322 S.E.2d 780 (N.C. Ct. App. 1984). “Although adultery remains a criminal offense in North Carolina, G.S. 14-184, we find no compelling reason to retain, in addition, a remedy of money damages for the same conduct.”
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