§ 265 Forced Marriage Or Defilement

Penal Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says it's a crime to force a woman to marry someone or do something sexual against her will. If you use threats, scare her, or hurt her to make her do it, you can go to prison.

Key Takeaways

•Forcing a woman to marry or do sexual things is a crime.
•Using threats, scare tactics, or force is illegal.
•If you break this law, you can go to prison.

Example

A man threatens to hurt a woman if she doesn't marry him.

This is against the law. The man could go to prison for forcing her.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 265 Forced Marriage Or Defilement

Every person who takes any woman unlawfully, against her will, and by force, menace or duress, compels her to marry him, or to marry any other person, or to be defiled, is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 303. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

unlawfully against her will force menace duress compels marry defiled imprisonment

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Penal Code. Section 265.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References