EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — With the holidays upon us and many children splitting time between parents, El Paso County wants to remind the public there is a civil penalty for custodial interference.
On Sept. 16, the El Paso County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a county civil penalty for interference with child custody orders, a new measure to enhance family court’s ability to address violations of court orders concerning child custody.
The recent County order allows the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office to request a fine of up to $500 by the family courts for interfering with a child custody order, the County said in a news release.
Last year, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 969, which allowed El Paso County “to adopt an ordinance or order that imposes a civil penalty of not more than $500 for interfering with a child custody order.”
Interference with child custody is a criminal offense in Texas, punishable by up to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000. However, some police departments consider the issue to be a civil matter and outside the scope of their work, leaving the parent with little recourse, the County said.
The recently passed county order allows the family courts an option to impose a punishment other than incarceration or community supervision, the County said.
For more information visit www.epcounty.com/dro.
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