Courts Have New Weapon In Fight Against Deadbeat Parents

Nearly 150 so-called "deadbeat parents" in Orange County had their day in court Tuesday. This was the first round-up of parents who are behind in their child support payments since a new law allowing license revocation went into effect December 1.

This is the fourth year Orange County has brought such parents into court, but the new law appears to have improved collections.

Orange County has notified 230 offenders that they collectively owe their children $1.3 million. Some parents say they must come to court month after month to try to collect.

Child Enforcement Director Janet Sparks says the new law has given them a weapon with which to enforce the law.

Even the parents who were in court Tuesday for not paying their child support admit the money needs to be paid. They say this new law will encourage them to come up with the money.

Most say they were surprised to find themselves in court Tuesday. Some were even more surprised to find themselves jailed.