Defense Attorney Helps With Bigamy (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-1) Charges
Bigamy (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-1) can be charged in two ways in New Jersey.
First, if you marry a person while knowing that a previous marriage is still legally valid, you can be charged with a disorderly persons offense.
Exceptions to this rule include believing that your spouse is dead, having lived apart for at least five consecutive years without knowing that your spouse was alive, or having a legal judgment ending a previous marriage that is invalid, though you believe it is valid. In other words, if you reasonably believe you are eligible to marry, you can likely avoid or defeat these charges.
Similarly, if you know that a person is currently married to someone else and marry them anyway, you can be charged with the disorderly persons offense of Bigamy.
This would be comparable to a high misdemeanor in other states, and conviction can result in six months in jail. Your marriage will also be legally void, which can have significant civil ramifications for you.
Matthew Reisig has nearly two decades of experience defending clients in New Jersey against whatever charges they’re facing.
If you need help with bigamy charges, call 732-625-9661 today for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.
