TITLE 18

CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

CHAPTER 4

ABANDONMENT OR NONSUPPORT OF WIFE OR CHILDREN

18-402.  Orders providing for children and wife upon violation of preceding section. In any case enumerated in the previous section, the court may render one of the following orders:

1.  Should a fine be imposed it may be directed by the court to be paid in whole or in part to the wife, or to the guardian or to the custodian of the child or children, or to an individual appointed by the court as trustee.

2.  Before trial, or after conviction, with the consent of the defendant, the court, in its discretion, having regard to the circumstances and to the financial ability or earning capacity of the defendant, shall have the power to make an order which shall be subject to change by it from time to time as circumstances may require, directing the defendant to pay a certain sum weekly during such time as the court may direct, to the wife or to the guardian, or custodian of the minor child or children, or to an individual appointed by the court and to release the defendant from custody or probation during such time as the court may direct upon his or her entering into a recognizance, with or without sureties, in such sum as the court may direct. The condition of the recognizance to be such that if the defendant shall make his or her appearance in court whenever ordered to do so, and shall further comply with the terms of the order and of any subsequent modification thereof, then the recognizance shall be void, otherwise to remain in full force and effect.

3.  When conviction is had and a sentence to imprisonment in the county jail is imposed, the court may direct that the person so convicted shall be compelled to work upon the public roads or highways or any other public work in the county where such conviction is had, during the time of such sentence. And it shall be the duty of the county commissioners or of the highway district board within the county where such conviction and sentence is had and where such work is performed by persons under sentence to the county jail to allow an order of payment out of the current fund or maintenance road fund, to the wife, or to the guardian, or custodian of the child or children, or to an individual appointed by the court as trustee, at the end of each calendar month, for the support of such wife, or child or children, ward or wards, a sum not to exceed one and fifty one-hundredths dollars for each day’s work of such person.

History:

[18-402, added 1972, ch. 336, sec. 1, p. 860.]