Sex offenses in marriage: Maryland to drop spousal defense in sex crime cases
Maryland will no longer allow someone to use marriage as a defense against allegations of sex crimes starting Oct. 1. The change in Maryland law wa...
Maryland will no longer allow someone to use marriage as a defense against allegations of sex crimes starting Oct. 1. The change in Maryland law was approved during the most recent General Assembly session in Annapolis and followed a yearslong effort by advocates and several legislators to change the law. Lisae Jordan, the executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), explained that under Maryland law, prosecutors could not charge a spouse who committed violent sexual assaults against their married partner.