§ 11-2-2 - Desertion by leaving state – Decree as evidence. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 11-2-2

   § 11-2-2  Desertion by leaving state –Decree as evidence. – Any husband or father who without just cause deserts his wife or minor child bygoing into another state, and leaves them or any or either of them withoutmaking reasonable provisions for their support, shall be punished by a fine ofnot more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for not morethan five (5) years, or both. No civil proceeding in any court shall be held tobe a bar to a prosecution pursuant to this section for desertion or nonsupport.In a prosecution pursuant to this section for desertion or nonsupport against ahusband, a decree or judgment of any court in a proceeding in which the husbandappeared or was personally served with process, establishing the right of thewife to live apart, or her freedom to convey and deal with her property, or theright to the custody of the children, shall be admissible and shall be primafacie evidence of that right.