720 ILCS 5/11-45(a) – Bigamy
This law makes it illegal to be married to one person and then knowingly marry someone else.
This Illinois law says that a person who is already married cannot knowingly marry another person. It also explains certain legal defenses and the types of punishment if someone commits bigamy.
(a) Bigamy. A person breaks this law if they are already legally married to someone and then knowingly marry another person.
(b) It can be a defense against being charged with bigamy if any of the following are true:
- The earlier marriage ended or was legally declared invalid.
- The person honestly believed their previous spouse had died.
- The previous spouse had been gone for at least 5 years, and the person did not know they were still alive during that time.
- The person reasonably believed they were allowed to marry.
(c) Sentence: Bigamy is punished as a Class 4 felony.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
