In May 2001, Minnesota courts struck down the state's sodomy law which had been on the books since the 1800s, effective June 2001. The law prohibiting oral and anal sex allowed for penalties of up to a year in jail and up to $3,000 in fines.

In 1845, a new statute was enacted that removed the fine and flogging punishments, but increased the possible prison time from one year to life in prison.

In 1841, Alabama adopted a new code. In doing so, the first sodomy law was created in Alabama. Using the common-law definition, the penalty was set to 2-10 years in jail.