13-3609. Child bigamy; classification; definitions

332 words·~2 min read·/az/title-13/13-3609

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. A person commits child bigamy if the person knowingly does any of the following:

1. Is at least eighteen years of age, has a spouse and marries a child.

2. Is at least eighteen years of age and, either alone or in association with others, directs, causes or controls the marriage of a child to a person who already has a spouse.

3. Is at least eighteen years of age and, either alone or in association with others, directs, causes or controls the marriage of a child if the child already has a spouse.

4. Is at least eighteen years of age and marries a child if the child already has a spouse.

5. Transports or finances the transportation of a child to promote marriage between the child and a person who already has a spouse.

6. Transports or finances the transportation of a child who already has a spouse to promote marriage between the child and another person.

B. This section does not apply if a person who marries a child:

1. Has a spouse who has been absent for at least five successive years without being known to the person within that time to be living.

2. Has a former marriage that has been pronounced void, annulled or dissolved by judgment of a competent court.

C. A violation of this section is a class 3 felony.

D. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Marriage" means the state of joining together as husband and wife through an agreement, promise or ceremony regardless of whether a marriage license has been issued by the appropriate authority.

2. "Marry" means to join together as husband and wife through an agreement, promise or ceremony regardless of whether a marriage license has been issued by the appropriate authority.

3. "Spouses" means two persons living together as husband and wife, including the assumption of those marital rights, duties and obligations that are usually manifested by married people, including but not necessarily dependent on sexual relations.