In 1978, Argov was arrested for rape after he had offered a woman a ride home from a Bar Mitzvah performance, then forced her into his apartment and sexually assaulted her. His trial was presided over by judge Dov Levin, who would later serve as a judge on the Supreme Court of Israel. During his trial, when it was still not clear to the court whether the incident had constituted rape or consensual relations, Argov commented "there is no girl who doesn't want it, she just needs to learn how to take it." He was convicted of rape as a result of this comment and sentenced to three years in prison. His wife filed for divorce during this time.