Illicit Cohabitation Law and Legal Definition
Illicit Cohabitation is an offense committed by an unmarried man and woman who live together as husband and wife and engage in sexual intercourse. This offense, where it still exists, is rarely prosecuted. It also refers to a condition where a man and a woman who are not married to one another live together in circumstances that make the arrangement questionable on grounds of social propriety, though not necessarily illegal. It is considered a crime only when amounts to public immorality and public scandal. Illegal cohabitation of a man and a woman is a misdemeanor if open and notorious. This is also termed as lascivious cohabitation.
Cohabitation is the act of a man and a woman who are not married to each other, living together publicly in an intimate relationship as if husband and wife. Although a crime in most states, it is seldom prosecuted. Where the act is illegal, it is also called illicit cohabitation, lascivious cohabitation, and notorious cohabitation. Illegal cohabitation of a man and a woman is a misdemeanor when it is open and notorious. Illicit cohabitation includes fornication and adultery. However, it is considered a crime only when amounts to public immorality and public scandal.
