Many years ago, people who owed debts but could not pay them were hauled off to “debtors prison” and kept there until they found a way to pay off their debt. This system of debt collection was recognized as inefficient and cruel, and in 1833 a U.S. federal law was passed banning debtor prisons. Several states followed suit over the years, until it seemed that such a barbaric debt collection system was a footnote in history. Then, with the rise of bankruptcy laws, there was a clear understanding that financial setbacks and problems should be forgiven under the proper set of circumstances.
However, while the government is willing to step in and free a borrower from the obligation of paying back creditors for goods or services they have received, they are not quite as generous about forgiving debts such as owed taxes and government backed student loans. And in the 1980’s and 1990’s, many jurisdictions started going after individuals who still had pending tax bills or student loans due, and many of those who were apprehended were surprised to find themselves thrown in jail for failing to pay their bill. In many cases, the charge was “contempt” or some other ruse to avoid saying that they were in prison for non-payment of a debt, but that is exactly what it was.
Man jailed for non-payment of student loan, page 2:
I don’t get it, if you take out a loan you don’t think they should be repaid?
Not for student loans…
And not only that they also lied about not being able to contact him. They knew where he was when they got ready to arrest him.
I hate the court system but I go and tell them I’m schizophrenic and put me on don’t invite list
I know people who owe more than this, but they pay their bill. Also, I will assume he’s getting some kind of money back each year on taxes so why not just take it until the debt is paid? Or garnish wages (again assuming he’s working) until it’s paid. I understand that he wasn’t just arrested for non-payment. And, yes, if you’re summoned to court, show up!!! I pay my bills and everyone else should do the same thing. Going to jail where WE foot the bill isn’t okay though.
So, pay your bills?
Delaware is 8 years
This dumb$#%&!@*should not have any sympathy what so ever. The court started going after him in 2005, after many bogus continuances, second chances to pay and even an offer for FREE counseling and negotiation he still had the idiocy of not showing up in court and then threatened police with a firearm committing another felony when they tried to arrest him.
Probably arrested him because he’s black
Are you not supposed to tell the police you have a gun?