Valerie Marie Couch

It is illegal for a parent or spouse to fail to provide financial support, food, shelter, clothing, or medical care to a minor child or disabled spouse when the person is able to do so and knows they have a legal duty—this is nonsupport, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. Nonsupport becomes the more serious crime of "flagrant nonsupport" (a Class E felony punishable by 1–6 years in prison) if the person leaves the state to avoid support obligations or has been convicted of nonsupport before.

Penalty: Class A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500

When setting bail for someone arrested for child abuse, stalking, elderly abuse, or domestic violence crimes, the magistrate must carefully review the facts and consider the defendant's danger to others and flight risk before deciding if bail is appropriate and how much it should be.

Penalty: Violation