Marrying someone when you are already legally married to another is charged as Bigamy in Fort Collins and Larimer County. A firefighter was recently charged with this crime after his new wife found out that he was still married to another woman. According to the report, shortly after the two were married, the new wife received calls from another woman, who stated she was also the man’s wife. More and more calls came in and multiple women were making the same claims – they were all legally married to the man. One woman even travelled from another state to prove her case. At least one woman who came forward has been verified as legally married to the man – and one is all it takes to charge Bigamy.
Larimer County Bigamy Lawyer: Definition of Bigamy in Boulder County
The Larimer and Boulder County, Colorado law definition of Bigamy – C.R.S. 18-6-201 – is:
(a) The accused reasonably believed the prior spouse to be dead; or
(b) The prior spouse had been continually absent for a period of five years during which time the accused did not know the prior spouse to be alive; or
(c) The accused reasonably believed that he or she was legally eligible to remarry or legally eligible to enter into a civil union.
As a class 6 felony, Bigamy is punishable by 12 to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines.
Marrying a Bigamist in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, another Bigamy related crime is Marrying a Bigamist. The Colorado law definition of Marrying a Bigamist – C.R.S. 18-6-202 – is:
The key to this crime is that the person KNOWINGLY married someone who was already married. This would not apply to the new wife above, as she was unaware of his marital status.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Bigamy, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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