WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors.

Legal Information: Maryland

Statutes: Maryland

View all
Updated: 
August 19, 2024

§ 3-1103. Use of force, threat, coercion, or fraud to compel marriage

Prohibited

(a) A person may not knowingly:

(1) take or detain another with the intent to use force, threat, coercion, or fraud to compel the other to marry any person;

(2) receive a financial benefit or thing of value in relation to a violation of this subsection; or

(3) aid, abet, or conspire with another to violate this subsection.

Penalty

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of forced marriage and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.

Venue

(c) A person who violates this section may be charged, tried, and sentenced in any county in or through which the person transported or attempted to transport the victim.

Legal Information

© 2008–2024 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.