When The Law Allowed The Unthinkable: A Child Marriage Case In New Jersey

A Court Decision That Drew National Attention:

In 2006, a family court judge in New Jersey approved the marriage of a 10-year-old boy to an 18-year-old woman. The decision was legal under state law at the time, which did not set a clear minimum age for marriage when parental consent and judicial approval were given.

The case later became widely cited in discussions about child marriage laws in the United States.

How The Marriage Was Legally Approved:

New Jersey law in 2006 allowed minors to marry with parental consent. Judges also had discretion to approve marriages involving very young children if they believed it served the child’s best interests.

In this case, the judge accepted arguments presented by the family, which included religious and cultural reasons. The court did not require the same standards used in adult marriages, such as the ability to fully understand long-term legal and personal consequences.

Why The Case Raised Serious Concerns:

Many child welfare advocates later criticized the ruling, pointing out that a 10-year-old cannot legally consent to sex, sign contracts, or make most life decisions. Yet marriage law created an exception that allowed these protections to be bypassed.

Critics argued that marriage can limit a child’s ability to seek help, leave the relationship, or access education and social services. Once married, minors often lose protections provided under child abuse and custody laws.

A Broader Legal Gap In The United States:

At the time of the New Jersey case, many U.S. states allowed child marriage under certain conditions. Some had no minimum age at all if a judge approved the request. These laws were often leftovers from earlier centuries and rarely reviewed.

The New Jersey case became a clear example of how these laws could be used in extreme and harmful ways.

Changes That Followed Public Awareness:

Public reporting on cases like this led to increased pressure on lawmakers. Advocacy groups used the New Jersey example to show the real-world impact of vague marriage laws.

In 2018, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to fully ban child marriage, setting the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.

A Case That Helped Redefine Legal Boundaries:

The 2006 ruling remains a reminder that legality does not always equal protection. By exposing gaps in the law, the case helped push reforms that now prevent similar approvals. It stands as an example of how legal systems evolve when society confronts uncomfortable realities.