§ 856.04, Fla. Stat. · Chapter 856. DRUNKENNESS; OPEN HOUSE PARTIES; LOITERING; PROWLING; DESERTION
Desertion; withholding support; proviso.
Text — 2026 Florida Statutes
(1) Any man who shall in this state desert his wife and children, or either of them, or his wife where there are no children or child, or who shall willfully withhold from them or either of them, the means of support, or any mother, who shall desert her child or children, or who shall willfully withhold from them the means of support, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, no husband shall be prosecuted under this section for the desertion of his wife, or for withholding from his wife the means of supporting her where there is existing, at the time of such desertion or withholding, such cause or causes as are recognized as ground or grounds for dissolution of marriage, by statute, in this state, if such person shall have provided for the support of his children, if there be any.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a child born out of wedlock shall be deemed to be the child of a man who has been adjudged or decreed to be the father of such child by a court of competent jurisdiction of this state or of any other jurisdiction.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
s. 1, ch. 4553, 1897; GS 3569; s. 1, ch. 6483, 1913; RGS 5496; CGL 7654; s. 1, ch. 59-147; s. 1, ch. 61-335; s. 1, ch. 65-210; s. 1077, ch. 71-136; s. 9, ch. 75-166.
Source of truth
- Edition
- 2026 Florida Statutes
- Official file
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0856/0856.html
- Text hash
- sha256 0f8b7cfea8bd89d7727392305d1c6bc91d657ad6ea8edf0566f82be5cb5e6a3d
- Composed by
- compose_v2.py 2026-10-04: the Legislature's structured HTML read in document order; verify_v2.py's independent reading agrees character for character
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This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
The Florida Statutes
- § 775.082, Fla. Stat.Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures; mandatory minimum sentences for certain reoffenders previously released from prison.Printed as s. 775.082
- § 775.083, Fla. Stat.Fines.Printed as s. 775.083
- § 775.084, Fla. Stat.Violent career criminals; habitual felony offenders and habitual violent felony offenders; three-time violent felony offenders; definitions; procedure; enhanced penalties or mandatory minimum prison terms.Printed as s. 775.084
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