Felony bigamy is a criminal offense that involves entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another, without legally ending the first marriage. In many jurisdictions, bigamy is treated as a serious crime and can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the state and circumstances. Here are key points about felony bigamy:
- Felony bigamy is the act of knowingly and intentionally marrying a second spouse without obtaining a legal divorce or annulment from the first spouse.
- It is illegal in all 50 U.S. states, with some states classifying it as a felony, while others treat it as a misdemeanor or a "wobbler" offense (which can be charged as either).
- Penalties for felony bigamy can include imprisonment, often ranging from one year to several years, and fines, sometimes up to $10,000.
- For example, in California, bigamy can be charged as a felony with prison time of up to three years and a fine up to $10,000.
- In Florida, felony bigamy is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
- Legal consequences include invalidation or annulment of the second marriage, loss of certain civil rights, social stigma, and complications in legal matters such as inheritance, custody, and property division.
- Defenses may include reasonable belief that the first spouse was dead or that the first marriage was legally dissolved.
- Bigamy laws aim to uphold the sanctity and legal integrity of marriage, prevent fraud and deception, protect social stability, and safeguard the legal rights of spouses and children.
In summary, felony bigamy is the serious criminal offense of marrying another person while still legally married, punishable by significant legal penalties including prison time and fines.
