OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY – Part 1 – Bigamy

In Texas, there are six offenses against the family:

BIGAMY.

PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT.

AGREEMENT TO ABDUCT FROM CUSTODY.

ENTICING A CHILD.

CRIMINAL NONSUPPORT.

HARBORING RUNAWAY CHILD.

BIGAMY.

 An individual commits an offense if he is legally married and he:

– 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;

– lives with a person other than his spouse in this state under the appearance of being married;  

If the person knows that a married person other than his spouse is married and he:

– 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

– lives with that person in this state under the appearance of being married.

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)  17 years of age, the offense is a felony of the second degree; or

(2)  16 years of age or younger, the offense is a felony of the first degree.

A person commits an offense if, in violation of a condition of bond set in a family violence, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking case and related to the safety of a victim or the safety of the community, the person knowingly or intentionally commits family violence or an act in furtherance of an offense and communicates:

– directly with a protected individual or a member of the family or household in a threatening or harassing manner;

– a threat through any person to a protected individual or a member of the family or household; or

– in any manner with the protected individual or a member of the family or household except through the person’s attorney or a person appointed by the court, if the violation is of an order described by this subsection and the order prohibits any communication with a protected individual or a member of the family or household;

The violation of an order

If the person goes to or near any of the following places as specifically described in the order or condition of bond:

–  the residence or place of employment or business of a protected individual or a member of the family or household; or

–  any child care facility, residence, or school where a child protected by the order or condition of bond normally resides or attends;

–  possesses a firearm;

–  harms, threatens, or interferes with the care, custody, or control of a pet, companion animal, or assistance animal that is possessed by a person protected by the order or condition of bond; or

–  removes, attempts to remove, or otherwise tampers with the normal functioning of a global positioning monitoring system.

As always, the best option is to contact Atlas Bail and go over available info and all the details. With our experience, knowledge and great customer service, we can have your loved ones back to you as soon as the law will allow us. From the moment you show up in our office we understand your need for guidance and help. The fact that a person is in jail is only the beginning of the process. Selecting AAA Atlas Bail is an important first step. With years of experience in our office, we most definitely will have the right answer for you.

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