Non-Monogamous Families and the Law, Part 51: Summary of Wyoming Laws

Non-Monogamous Families and the Law, Part 51: Summary of Wyoming Laws

Adultery:

Wyoming has no adultery or fornication laws.

Bigamy:

Wyoming has simple bigamy, applicable only to the marryer (Wyoming State Legislature, 2012f). Bigamy is liable as a felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine up to $5,000 (Wyoming State Legislature, 2012f). Repeat escalation is applicable, increasing imprisonment to 10-50 years for the second repeat, and to life imprisonment for the third repeat (Wyoming State Legislature, 2012g). Inchoate applies in full, with accessory, conspiracy, solicitation and attempt liable at the same level as bigamy (Wyoming State Legislature, 2012a; Wyoming State Legislature, 2012b; Wyoming State Legislature, 2012c; Wyoming State Legislature, 2012d; Wyoming State Legislature, 2012e).

Round-Up of Laws:

With the absence of fornication and adultery, and simple bigamy laws, Wyoming liability is quite low. Liability only exists if there is an actual bigamous marriage.

Non-Monogamous Strategies:

Because of the low liability level, the only way to minimize liability further is to not have an actual bigamous marriage. Beyond this, criminal liability is nonexistent.

References

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012a). Accessory before the fact. (Wyoming Statutes 6-1-201). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012b). Attempt; renunciation of criminal intention. (Wyoming Statutes 6-1-201). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012c). Solicitation to commit felony; renunciation of criminal intention. (Wyoming Statutes 6-1-302). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012d). Conspiracy; renunciation of criminal intention. (Wyoming Statutes 6-1-303). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012e). Grading. (Wyoming Statutes 6-1-304). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012f). Bigamy; penalties; defense. (Wyoming Statutes 6-4-401). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.

Wyoming State Legislature. (2012g). “Habitual criminal” defined; penalties. (Wyoming Statutes 6-10-201). Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Legislature.