Houston Criminal Defense
In Texas, Bigamy is a serious felony offense. Most people are not familiar with the legal elements. If you are not familiar, the Texas Penal Code section on Bigamy is printed below. The offense is a third degree, second degree or first degree felony depending on age factors listed below. Therefore, the range of punishment could be quite severe from as low at two to ten years in prison to as high as life in prison.
Houston Criminal Trial Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights, Freedom and Future
James (Jim) Sullivan is an experienced Houston Criminal Defense Attorney. For over 25 years, Sullivan has successfully fought the government in Jury Trials on behalf of clients in criminal and juvenile courts.
James Sullivan attended the Trial Lawyers College founded by Legendary lawyer Gerry Spencen. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas.
Reputation
James Sullivan has a good reputation in the legal community. Sullivan is humbled by fine lawyers who endorse him on AVVO. He is also very grateful for clients who write testimonials on his behalf. Most of his business comes from referrals from past clients and other lawyers, although it is not necessary to have a referral for him to defend you. Anyone can call James Sullivan to represent them.
The law practice of James Sullivan is devoted solely to criminal and juvenile defense. Sullivan has tried many cases in the Harris county criminal and juvenile courthouses. Approximately half of his cases involve criminal charges while the other half involves juvenile charges.
Contact Attorney James Sullivan
If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime or delinquency, call Houston criminal defense attorney James Sullivan to discuss your case.
James Sullivan generally tries to answer his own phone so that you can speak to an attorney directly. He wants to hear from you and to help you. Call him right now. Don’t go to court alone. To schedule an appointment or to discuss your case, call 281-546-6428.
Texas Penal Code, Section 25.01 – Bigamy
CHAPTER 25. OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY
§ 25.01. BIGAMY. (a) An individual commits an offense if:
(1) he is legally married and he:
(A) purports to marry or does marry a person other than his spouse in this state, or any other state or foreign country, under circumstances that would, but for the actor’s prior marriage, constitute a marriage; or
(B) lives with a person other than his spouse in this state under the appearance of being married; or
(2) he knows that a married person other than his spouse is married and he:
(A) purports to marry or does marry that person in this state, or any other state or foreign country, under circumstances that would, but for the person’s prior marriage, constitute a marriage; or
(B) lives with that person in this state under the appearance of being married.
(b) For purposes of this section, “under the appearance of being married” means holding out that the parties are married with cohabitation and an intent to be married by either party.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) that the actor reasonably believed at the time of the commission of the offense that the actor and the person whom the actor married or purported to marry or with whom the actor lived under the appearance of being married were legally eligible to be married because the actor’s prior marriage was void or had been dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment. For purposes of this subsection, an actor’s belief is reasonable if the belief is substantiated by a certified copy of a death certificate or other signed document issued by a court.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the lawful wife or husband of the actor may testify both for or against the actor concerning proof of the original marriage.
(e) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree, except that if at the time of the commission of the offense, the person whom the actor marries or purports to marry or with whom the actor lives under the appearance of being married is:
(1) 16 years of age or older, the offense is a felony of the second degree; or
(2) younger than 16 years of age, the offense is a felony of the first degree.
