From the Attorney General
Wanted: James Dickens
Greg Abbott Attorney General of Texas

Child Support Evader: James Dickens

Owes: $39,613 Last Address: Fort Worth, TX Occupation: Plumber Born: 07/08/64 Height: 6' 0" Weight: 180 Color of Eyes: Brown Color of Hair: Brown

Race: Caucasian

Attorney General Greg Abbott needs your help to find Child Support Evader James Dickens, one of the Most Wanted Child Support Evaders in Texas. Dickens, who was named a Child Support Evader in December 2006, owes $39,613 for the care of his 17-year-old daughter.

When the court granted him a divorce in 1991, Dickens was ordered to pay $125 per week in child support. Five years later, he owed more than $22,000 in back payments for the support of his child. For failing to follow the original court order, Dickens was placed on probation for 60 months. Although Dickens made regular payments for a time, by January 2006 he owed $32,000. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear at a June 2006 compliance hearing.

By refusing to provide financial assistance she needs to succeed in life James Dickens turned his back on his daughter. After years of missed payments, Dickens now owes more than $39,000 in unpaid child support.

Investigators from the Attorney General's Office have searched the state for Dickens. He is believed to be living in the Fort Worth area. Dickens is a plumber by trade but has not updated his journeyman license since it expired in September 2006. Contact the Attorney General's Office at 1-866-EVADERS (382-3377) to report information that may lead to the arrest of James Dickens.

Under federal law, the states are required to prepare a list of child support evaders who have the ability to take responsibility for their children, but refuse to do so. In some cases incarceration is the only option for parents who violate court orders to pay child support. The Attorney General's Office helps parents who lack the ability to pay child support by referring them to job training and employment services. Visit the agency's Web site www.oag.state.tx.us to find out about other Child Support Evaders, and to obtain information about the Attorney General's Child Support Division.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

MOST WANTED EVADERS

Criteria for a parent to be named a Most Wanted Child Support Evader:

+ Court-ordered delinquent support must be in excess of $5,000

+ Arrest warrant must have been issued for non-support

+ Location of non-custodial parent is unknown

+ Parent has not made any payments in the last six months

+ Non-custodial parent must not be involved in bankruptcy proceedings

+ Non-custodial parent must not be receiving welfare benefits

In order to make child support information public, the custodial parent must sign a confidentiality waiver.