THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931

750.161 Desertion, abandonment, or refusal or neglect to provide shelter, food, care, and clothing; felony; penalty; bond; probation; failure to comply with conditions in bond; forfeiture of bond; disposition of sums received; continuing offense; proof. Sec. 161.

(1) A person who deserts and abandons his or her spouse or deserts and abandons his or her children under 17 years of age, without providing necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for them, and a person who being of sufficient ability fails, neglects, or refuses to provide necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing for his or her spouse or his or her children under 17 years of age, is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year. (2) If at any time before sentence the defendant enters into bond to the people of the state of Michigan in such penal sum for such term and with such surety or sureties as may be fixed by the court, conditioned that he or she will furnish his or her spouse and children with necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing, or will pay to the clerk of the court, or other designated person, such sums of money at such times as the court shall order to be used to provide food, shelter, and clothing for his or her spouse and children, or either of them, then the court may make an order placing the defendant in charge of a probation officer. The court may require that the defendant shall from time to time report to the probation officer as provided by law. The court may extend the period of probation from time to time or the court may defer sentence in the cause, but no term of any bond or any probation period shall exceed the maximum term of imprisonment as provided for in this section. (3) Upon failure of the defendant to comply with any of the conditions contained in the bond, the defendant may be ordered to appear before the court and show cause why sentence should not be imposed, whereupon the court may pass sentence, or for good cause shown may modify the order and further defer sentence as may be just and proper. Whenever the whereabouts of the defendant is unknown, the court may summarily issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant. (4) The court, upon default by the defendant to comply with the conditions of the bond and the orders of the court, shall notify the prosecuting attorney, who shall immediately file a petition in the court in which the cause is pending to declare the bond forfeited. A copy of the petition and a notice of hearing on the petition shall be served upon the surety or sureties, if any, named in the bond at least 4 days before the hearing of the petition. Upon holding a hearing on the petition, the court may declare the bond forfeited. When so ordered, the prosecuting attorney shall immediately institute the necessary action to collect the principal sum of the bond. If a cash bond has been filed, the cash bond shall be declared forfeited by the court. (5) All sums received from bonds being forfeited shall be paid to the clerk of the court, who shall hold and disburse the money for the use of those entitled to the money in accordance with the orders of the court for their necessary food, care, shelter, and clothing. (6) Desertion, abandonment, or refusal or neglect to provide necessary and proper shelter, food, care, and clothing as provided in this section shall be considered to be a continuing offense and may be so set out in any complaint or information. Proof of the offense charged at any time during the period alleged in the complaint or information shall be considered proof of a violation of this section.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- Am. 1947, Act 142, Eff. Oct. 11, 1947 ;-- CL 1948, 750.161 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 277, Eff. Mar. 29, 1985 Former Law: See section 1 of Act 144 of 1907, being CL 1915, § 7789; CL 1929, § 12788; Act 114 of 1921; and Act 239 of 1923.

Simplified Explanation of Michigan Penal Code Section 750.161

This section of the Michigan Penal Code outlines the laws and consequences relating to the abandonment or neglect of a spouse or children.

1. Desertion and Neglect: Anyone who abandons their spouse or children under 17 years old, or fails to provide necessary shelter, food, care, and clothing for them, while being capable of doing so, is committing a felony.
2. Penalty: The guilty party can be sentenced to imprisonment in a state correctional facility for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, or in the county jail for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 1 year.
3. Bond and Probation: Before the sentence is given, the defendant can provide a bond promising to take care of their spouse and children or to pay certain sums of money for their care. If the defendant provides such a bond, the court may put the defendant on probation under the supervision of a probation officer, or defer the sentence. The probation period can be extended, but the total period of the bond or probation can't exceed the maximum imprisonment term for the crime.
4. Failure to Comply with Bond Terms: If the defendant fails to meet the conditions of the bond, they can be summoned to court to explain why they should not be sentenced. If they can't show a good reason, they may be sentenced, or if there is a good reason, the court may modify the bond terms and further defer the sentence. If the defendant can't be located, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest.
5. Forfeiture of Bond: If the defendant defaults on the bond terms, the court will inform the prosecutor, who will petition the court to declare the bond forfeited. The surety (the person or entity that guaranteed the bond) is notified and a hearing is held. If the bond is declared forfeited, the principal sum of the bond is collected. If a cash bond was provided, it's forfeited to the court.
6. Disbursement of Forfeited Funds: Money collected from forfeited bonds is given to the court clerk, who uses it to provide for those entitled to it (the spouse or children) according to the court's orders.
7. Continuing Offense: Desertion, abandonment, or neglect as described in this section is considered a continuing offense. This means that the offense is considered to continue for as long as the abandonment or neglect continues. Any proof of the offense during the period claimed is considered proof of a violation of this section.

Please remember, this is a simplified interpretation of the law and does not serve as legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional for matters pertaining to law.