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Bigamy

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enigma1771

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? California...
Since bigamy is considered a crime, does anyone know the penalty, do both parties get charged (the one already married and the one getting married) and is there a statute of limitations? :p
 


snostar

Senior Member
I'm not sure about the statute of limitations, here's the relevant code regarding bigamy.

CALIFORNIA CODES
PENAL CODE
SECTION 281-294

281. (a) Every person having a husband or wife living, who marries any other person, except in the cases specified in Section 282, is guilty of bigamy.
(b) Upon a trial for bigamy, it is not necessary to prove either of the marriages by the register, certificate, or other record evidence thereof, but the marriages may be proved by evidence which is admissible to prove a marriage in other cases; and when the second marriage took place out of this state, proof of that fact, accompanied with proof of cohabitation thereafter in this state, is sufficient to sustain the charge.

282. Section 281 does not extend to any of the following:
(a) To any person by reason of any former marriage whose husband or wife by such marriage has been absent for five successive years without being known to such person within that time to be living.
(b) To any person by reason of any former marriage which has been pronounced void, annulled, or dissolved by the judgment of a competent court.

283. Bigamy is punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison.

284. Every person who knowingly and willfully marries the husband or wife of another, in any case in which such husband or wife would be punishable under the provisions of this chapter, is punishable by fine not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in the state prison.
 

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