It's Big a Me

[Will Linden]

   Not exactly a religion question, but I thought people hear might know 
some answers.

A recent GetReligion post dealt with the  Times story about underground 
polygamy among immigrants. In  reaction to the line about criminal 
penalties for bigamy, a commenter posted::

"So, what actually constitutes the offense, since we've legalized adultery?

* Publicly declaring multiple marriage?

* Trying to get multiple concurrent marriage licenses?"

   Can anyone illuminate this? How often is bigamy prosecuted? Under what 
circumstances? In which states?

   (And yes, I know that failure to ENFORCE laws against adultery which 
legislators dare not be seen voting to repeal does not mean that it has 
been "legalized" in probably most states. (Connecticut being an exception, 
and being reported for just that reason.)

    My impression is that "bigamy" charges are usually linked to someone 
concealing his marital status from the other party.

    Will, one of whose uncles was "a bigamist... but ONLY in New York 
State, dear,", and could never get a coherent explanation of how this was 
compatible with the Full Faith and Credit clause.



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