Just one in a series of posts of some State Laws that are on the Books in Mississippi.

It is a crime to have a subsequent child out of wedlock in Mississippi.

MS Code § 97-29-11 provides that if a person, who previously become the natural parent of an illegitimate child …by coition within or without this state, shall again become the natural parent of an illegitimate child born within this state, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days or by a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), or both.

A subsequent conviction shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months or by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both.

**Provided, however, that for the purpose of this section, multiple births shall be construed to be the birth of one (1) child.

Matthew Thompson is a child custody attorney and recommends to not have multiple children out of wedlock.