What Is Criminal Non-Support And What Are The Penalties?
– RJ, Texas
Answer:
Criminal nonsupport is failing to pay court ordered child support. The punishment range is six months to two years in the state jail. It is a defense to criminal support if the accused could not afford to pay. In other words, someone without a job won’t go to jail for nonsupport if they’re trying to find work or are unable to work due to illness or other similar reasons.
Most of the time, failing to pay support is dealt with in civil courts under the Family Code. Someone could be held in civil contempt and receive 180 days in jail per violation of a child support order. The message is, if you don’t pay and you don’t have a good reason, you can go to jail.
If you or a family member needs to get advice from an attorney experienced with Criminal Non-Support in Austin, give me a call for a free consultation.
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