State v. McDermott

Act 34, p. 42, of 1902 reads:

“Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that any person who shall, without just cause, desert or willfully neglect to provide for the support of his wife or minor children in destitute or necessitous circumstances shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment in the parish prison not exceeding one year, or both, in the discretion of the court; and should a fine be imposed, it may be directed by the court to be paid in whole or in part to the wife, or to the tutor, or custodian of the minor.…