State v. Wright

Hill C. J.

Quaere: What court has jurisdiction of *607the crime of “Family Desertion or Nonsupport,” when children under the age of sixteen are involved?

Answer: The superior court.

Reason: The controlling statute is quite explicit. When children under the age of sixteen years are involved, the crime of “Family Desertion or Nonsupport,” is a felony. Section 1 of chapter 249, Laws of 1955, p. 1025; § 1 of chapter 158, Laws of 1943, p. 514. (For two years, while § 1, chapter 255, Laws of 1953, p. 683, was in effect, it was a felony only after a third offense.) See RCW 26.20.030, as amended in 1955.

If…