SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Governor Gary Herbert has suggested that the state appeal a federal judge’s ruling that essentially decriminalized polygamy.
Speaking at his monthly news conference on KUED-TV, Herbert said state laws should be defended.
“I think it’s probably not good policy and practice for families to have that kind of situation,” he said in response to a question from FOX 13’s Max Roth. “That’s my own provincial view of traditional marriage. But it’s something that doesn’t seem to be enforced, it hasn’t been enforced and that’s probably why the courts have ruled the way they have ruled.”
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups ruled in a lawsuit filed by reality TV polygamist Kody Brown and his wives. They sued, arguing Utah’s ban on polygamy violated their religious freedom rights.
The judge ruled partially in their favor, striking down the part of the law that made cohabitation a crime, but preserved the bigamy statute that makes it illegal to obtain multiple marriage licenses.
