'Sister Wives' Stars Sue Utah

The stars of TLC’s “Sister Wives” have filed suit against Utah, arguing that its anti-bigamy law restricts human rights.

Jonathan Turley, who represents Kody Brown and his four wives: Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn, was in court on Friday to seek a hearing with Judge Clark Waddoups. The judge is expected to issue his decision in about one month.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Turley argued: “Not only has the state defined them [the Brown family] as a criminal association, you have prosecutors coming out and saying they are committing a crime every night on television.”

The Brown family is featured on TLC and immediately made headlines with their story, which includes a devout faith and the practice of polygamy. Kody is legally married only to Meri but has relationships with “wives” Jannelle, Christine, and Robyn.

According to TLC, “From their unconventional family structure and living arrangements to financial challenges, each half-hour episode exposes the inner workings of a polygamist household, revealing the unexpectedly tight-knit and loving relationships between Kody’s wives.”

The show just wrapped up its third season with the birth of Kody’s 17th child, son Solomon. The Brown family moved to Las Vegas after learning charges were being brought against them by the state of Utah.

The Brown’s are members of the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) church, which practices Mormon fundamentalism, though it is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Janet Bennion, author of “Women of Principle: Female Networking in Contemporary Mormon Polygyny” estimates that there are 10,000 members of the AUB.

The AUB believes in the “Book of Mormon” and its teachings about polygamy, which includes encouragement to practice plural marriage.