> [!info] Personal working space > This is my personal working space. The final version of this page is at https://atharkhan.com/blog/bigamy-and-polygamy-in-california/ ## Working notes Bigamy and polygamy are related terms, but the criminal question depends on the statutory elements. [[Cal. Pen. Code § 281]] addresses a second marriage or registered partnership while a spouse is living; [[Cal. Pen. Code § 282]] supplies specific exceptions. For a practical review, first establish the earlier relationship and whether a competent court actually ended it. Separation and a pending petition are not a final status judgment. [[Cal. Pen. Code § 283]] provides the punishment; do not infer unrelated registration requirements from a general sentencing provision.