Select your state

Criminal charges

bigamy

Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.

In Tennessee, both bigamy and polygamy are prohibited by law. Bigamy is explicitly illegal under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-15-301, which defines the offense as being married to more than one person at the same time. This statute makes it a Class A misdemeanor for anyone to be married to two or more people simultaneously, which is punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a fine, or both. Polygamy, which involves having multiple spouses, is not separately defined in Tennessee law but is encompassed within the prohibition against bigamy. As such, any form of marriage that involves more than two people is not legally recognized in Tennessee, and engaging in such relationships can lead to criminal charges. It is important to note that while religious freedom is protected under the First Amendment, the practice of polygamy as a religious or cultural custom does not exempt individuals from prosecution under state bigamy laws.

Legal Articles

State Statutes

Individual & Family Legal Plan

As a LegalFix member, you'll get expert legal services from a local law firm that treats you like an important client. Don't wait—be prepared for life's inevitable legal challenges starting today. And ask your employer, credit union, or membership group about preferred pricing opportunities.

Criminal charges

bigamy

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Tennessee State Code

Tennessee State Code

Criminal charges

bigamy

Articles