Terms Used In Louisiana Children's Code 1352

  • Applicable payee: means the spouse, the tutor or custodian of the child, the court-approved fiduciary of the spouse or child, or the department in a FITAP case or in a non-FITAP case in which the department is rendering services as designated by the court to be the payee. See Louisiana Children's Code 1351
  • Criminal neglect of family: means the desertion or intentional nonsupport by a spouse of his or her spouse who is in destitute or necessitous circumstances or by either parent of his minor child who is in destitute or necessitous circumstances. See Louisiana Children's Code 1351
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

A.  With the consent of the defendant, at any time prior to a trial on a charge of criminal neglect of family brought pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 14:74 the court, in lieu of imposing the punishment herein before provided, may issue a support order, after considering the circumstances and financial ability of the defendant, directing the defendant to pay a certain sum, at such periods as the court directs, and to maintain health care insurance.

B.  This support shall be ordered payable to the applicable payee.

C.  The amount of support as set by the court may be increased or decreased as the circumstances may require.

D.  The court may also require the defendant to enter into a recognizance, with or without surety, in order to insure the payment of support and the maintenance of health care insurance.  The condition of the recognizance shall be that the defendant shall make his or her personal appearance in court whenever required to do so, and shall further comply with the terms of the order or of any subsequent modification thereof.

Acts 1993, No. 442, §2, eff. June 9, 1993.