Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act
San Jose Divorce Lawyer
A Quick Science Lesson
In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act into law, amending the Child Support Recovery Act. The act made it a federal crime to cross state lines in order to avoid child support payments.
Felony Punishment
The law provides for felony punishment for a parent who moves to another state or country with the intention or evading child support payments if the debt has remained unpaid for over a year or is greater than $5,000. This punishment means that parents who owe $10,000 or more, or who fail to pay for two years, could face up to two years in prison. They could also face fines and are responsible for making restitution for unpaid child support.
Convicting Deadbeats
Should a parent be convicted they will also be placed on probation for a period of years, with certain conditions applying. Violation of any of these conditions could result in the defendant serving additional jail time. As part of these conditions the defendant must:
- Support his/her dependents and meet other family responsibilities
- Work at or pursue suitable employment
- If the defendant be unemployed, he/she work in community service
- Appear at all scheduled state/local child support hearings
If you are facing difficulty receiving child support, you need the support and advice of a family attorney who cares about the well being of your family. Child support debt is an issue that needs immediate attention so that your children continue to be cared for and you do not face mounting debt.
Speak with a San Jose Child Support Lawyer
Contact San Jose child support attorney Daniel Jensen at 408-296-4100 today.
