This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah prosecutors say a polygamous family made famous by a reality TV show won't face charges if a law against plural marriage stands.
The Utah Attorney General argued in court documents filed Wednesday that the "Sister Wives" stars can't challenge the law because they've never been prosecuted. Kody Brown and his four wives say they were nevertheless labeled criminals and driven from the state.
The state is appealing a ruling that struck down a key part of Utah's bigamy law forbidding cohabitation. A federal judge found it violated the Browns' freedom of religion.
Even though the state has a long-standing policy against prosecuting consenting adult polygamists, prosecutors argue the law helps them go after those who do commit abuses.
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear arguments on Jan. 21.