What offense occurs when a man marries another woman while already having a wife?

Study for the BCAPS 308 Penal Code Test 1. Engage with multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The correct answer is bigamy, which refers to the act of marrying one person while still legally married to another. In many jurisdictions, including under the penal code, bigamy is considered a criminal offense because it undermines the legal and social institution of marriage, which generally recognizes only one binding marriage at a time unless explicitly allowed otherwise.

Adultery, while related to marital infidelity, specifically pertains to extramarital sexual relations, rather than the act of entering into a new marriage while still being married. Polygamy refers to the practice of having multiple spouses simultaneously, which is not the same as marrying another while still legally married to one, unless it falls under the context of cultural or religious allowances. Indecency typically relates to objectionable conduct that does not specifically address marital status or the legality of marriages.

Understanding these distinctions clarifies why bigamy is the right answer in this context. It highlights the legal implications connected to marrying someone while already having a spouse, which directly violates laws regarding the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage.

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