Bigamy, incest and sexual acts in public

Bigamy Explained by Nevada Defense Lawyer

In the state of Nevada, there are certain behaviors and actions that have been made unlawful because the behaviors are considered to be crimes against public decency. In fact, within Title 15 – which sets forth crimes and punishments in the state – there is an entire Chapter that outlines different kinds of crimes against public decency and morality. Chapter 201 is the chapter that addresses this type of illegal conduct and it contains many subsections with different categories of allegedly immoral conduct that has been criminalized.

Within Chapter 201, one of the subcategories of crimes addresses offenses including bigamy, incest, sexual acts in public, and crimes against nature. If you are accused of any of these offenses, it is important that you understand the laws applicable to the accusations against you, that you know what prosecutors must prove, and that you take proactive steps to fight the accusations so you can try to get the most favorable possible outcome.

LV Criminal Defense is here to help. Our legal team will work closely with you to determine the best response to the accusations against you with the goal of avoiding or reducing penalties. We have provided legal representation to many defendants accused of crimes made illegal in Chapter 201 and we understand how to fight charges to help you protect your reputation and future. To find out more about the assistance that we can provide, you should give us a call and talk with a Vegas criminal attorney at our firm as soon as possible following an arrest.

Nevada Laws on Bigamy, Incest, Sexual Acts in Public, and Crimes Against Nature

Nevada Revised Statutes section 201.160 through 201.195 collectively make up the subsection within Chapter 201 that relates to bigamy, incest, sex acts in public, and crimes against nature.

According to N.R.S. 201.160, bigamy is defined to include having two husbands or two wives at the same time, with the knowledge that a first husband or a first wife is sill alive. Any person who marries someone else while knowing their other spouse is still alive can be convicted of a Category D felony. A marriage certification or registration of the marriage is not required in order to prove that the defendant has married multiple people at once.

Nevada Revised Statute section 201.170 is the statute that details the penalty for marrying a bigamist who is already married. If a defendant marries someone despite knowing that the bride or groom already has a husband or a wife, the individual who marries the bigamist can be charged with a Category D felony as well.

Incest, also addressed within this subsection of Chapter 201, is defined in Nevada Revised Statute section 201.180 to include individuals who intermarry or who commit fornication or adultery with someone within the degree of consanguinity. Incest is a Category A felony under the law in the state of Nevada and a defendant who is convicted of incest could be sentenced to a minimum of two years and a maximum of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. In addition to the lengthy term of imprisonment, a defendant who is convicted of incest could also be punished with a maximum fine of up to $10,000.

Commission of certain sexual acts in public is the next statute within this subsection of Chapter 201. A defendant can be found guilty of committing sex acs in public if the defendant engages in anal intercourse, cunnilingus, or fellatio in public – provided that the person is of full age at the time when the public sex act occurs. If a defendant is convicted of committing a sex act in public in violation of Nevada Revised Statute section 201.190, the defendant can be charged with a Category D felony offense.

Finally, the last statute within this subcategory of Chapter 200 of Nevada law deals with solicitation of a minor to engage in a crime against nature. A crime against nature is defined to include anal intercourse, cunnilingus, or fellatio between natural persons who are of the same gender.

Under the relevant law, a defendant can be convicted of this offense if the defendant entices, or solicits a minor to engage in a crime against nature, regardless of whether the minor actually engages in the crime or not. However, penalties will vary depending upon whether the minor acts based upon the defendant’s solicitation and actually engages in a crime against nature.

Penalties for soliciting a minor to engage in a crime against nature will vary depending upon the specific circumstances. If the minor was under the age of 14 at the time of the incident, a defendant can be found guilty of a Category A felony and could face a penalty of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 10 years. If the minor was 14 or older, the defendant could be convicted of a Category A felony and could be sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after five years.

If the minor does not act upon the defendant’s urging and engage in the crime against nature, the defendant could be convicted of a gross misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses.