Overview
- Mexico’s Supreme Court established that paying less than the ordered child support without justification can trigger criminal liability.
- The justices said criminal prosecution is permissible when civil and family-law tools fail to secure effective compliance.
- The Court revoked amparos previously granted to two debtors who repeatedly deposited amounts below court-ordered sums.
- In a specific case, the Plenary ordered a father to cover retroactive support for his daughter’s first three years of life.
- Judges must weigh factors such as the parent’s knowledge and good or bad faith, and the debtor bears the burden of proving inability to pay.