<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="10-204" title_number="10" title_name="Support in General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Criminal Nonsupport and Desertion">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Before trial and with the written consent of the accused individual, or on conviction of the individual under § 10-203 of this subtitle, instead of or in addition to imposing a penalty under § 10-203 of this subtitle, the court may:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>order the individual to pay child support periodically in a certain amount for 3 years, or, if there is an agreement with respect to support of the child, order the individual to make payments as provided in the agreement; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>place the individual on probation on the individual’s entering into a recognizance.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>In passing the order, the court shall consider the financial circumstances of the accused individual.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The accused individual shall make the payments:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>to the person who has custody of the minor child, through the appropriate support enforcement agency; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>if there is an agreement with respect to support of the child, to the recipient designated in the agreement.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The court may modify the order as circumstances require.</text>
  </level>
</section>
