Unauthorized access to a spouse's emails might violate the federal Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided on December 14, 2016. Stephanie Francis Ward wrote in the ABA Journal that the 7th Circuit (the second highest court of the land) was faced with a situation concerning a spouse in a divorce. Apparently, the wife had put an "auto forward" on the husband's email account, so she was forwarded emails to the husband from anyone, including his alleged girlfriends.
Rhode Island Divorce: Should You Read Your Spouse's Emails?
Spouses feeling insecure or jealous about their spouse, or those trying to gain advantage in their divorce proceedings may want to delve into their spouse's emails, hoping to find evidence of misconduct and other secrets.
