Post by Jim on Feb 17, 2009 8:52:28 GMT -5
In the American Federal System power is divided between the national and the state governments. States have a broad authority know as the "police power" to make laws related to public health and safety. The rules about marriage (the category of law known as domestic relations) come under this police power. With a few exceptions almost all laws concerning marriage are state laws. Since each state is free to make its own rules, the laws about marriage and divorce vary from state to state.
Marriage is a civil contract, sanctioned by the state and accorded special treatment in the law in Georgia. It is encouraged by the state as a matter of public interest and concern. Marriage is favored by the state for the education, care and maintenance, support, control, and custody of minor children. Up until 2003, marriage was the only relationship in which sexual intercourse between consenting adults was lawful. It was a crime known as fornication for unmarried persons to have sex even if it was consensual (the age of consent for sex in Georgia is 16). Although the Georgia Supreme Court has struck down the law making fornication a crime, It continues to be a crime known as statutory rape to have sex with someone (other than a spouse) who is under 16, even if that person consents. If a couple has had sex when one of them was underage, it is still a crime even if they married afterward.
Marriage is a civil contract, sanctioned by the state and accorded special treatment in the law in Georgia. It is encouraged by the state as a matter of public interest and concern. Marriage is favored by the state for the education, care and maintenance, support, control, and custody of minor children. Up until 2003, marriage was the only relationship in which sexual intercourse between consenting adults was lawful. It was a crime known as fornication for unmarried persons to have sex even if it was consensual (the age of consent for sex in Georgia is 16). Although the Georgia Supreme Court has struck down the law making fornication a crime, It continues to be a crime known as statutory rape to have sex with someone (other than a spouse) who is under 16, even if that person consents. If a couple has had sex when one of them was underage, it is still a crime even if they married afterward.
Read More:
facstaff.gpc.edu/~wbroadwe/gamarriage.htm
This is a pretty good site containing some good stuff about marriages in Georgia.
