Non-Monogamous Families and the Law, Part 39: Summary of Pennsylvania Laws

Non-Monogamous Families and the Law, Part 39: Summary of Pennsylvania Laws

Adultery:

Pennsylvania has no adultery or fornication laws.

Bigamy:

Pennsylvania bigamy has a purportation clause, and is liable for both marryer and marryee as a second degree misdemeanor (Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011g). Punishment is up to two years imprisonment (Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011f) and a fine up to $5,000 (Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011e). Repeat escalation appears to not apply, though a standard range of inchoate offences, attempt, solicitation and conspiracy, apply at the same level of liability as bigamy (Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011a; Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011b; Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011c; Pennsylvania State Legislature, 2011d).

Round-Up of Laws:

With the absence of fornication and adultery laws, unmarried and dyadic non-monogamists have minimal liability. Non-dyadic non-monogamists, however, are liable under the purportation clause in bigamy.

Non-Monogamous Strategies:

Since the only liability comes from the bigamy law, non-dyadic non-monogamists would need to either not be married, or practice a great deal of control over their public image.

References

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011a). Criminal attempt. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 901). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011b). Criminal solicitation. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 902). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011c). Criminal conspiracy. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 903). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011d). Grading of criminal attempt, solicitation and conspiracy. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 901). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011e). Fines. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 1101). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011f). Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanors. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 1104). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.

Pennsylvania State Legislature. (2011g). Bigamy. (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 4301). Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Legislature.