In What States Can You Be Jailed for Debt?
Although debtor jail was abolished in the Unites States in the 19th century, you could still find yourself spending some time behind bars depending on the state you live in and the offense you are being charged for. Check your state's position on unpaid debt by visiting your state government website.
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What States Can Lock You Up?
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Currently, there are six U.S. states where you may be incarcerated for unpaid debt. These states are Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Arizona, Arkansas and Washington. However, arrest is still used as a last effort after other collection methods have been exhausted. Arrest and incarceration has been deemed unconstitutional by other states and therefore not enforced.
What Are The Offenses?
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The most obvious reason for serving time for unpaid debt is not paying your state or federal taxes. There are two levels of offense: if the court declares that you deliberately refused to file, you will serve a stricter penalty than if you did file but did not pay. Other offenses include not paying child support, not paying state-imposed fines for motor vehicle offenses and, in some cases, you may even get time for refusing to pay consumer debts.
Considerations
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There is no way around paying your taxes, and you will be subject to discipline by the court. In cases of default of child support, alimony or consumer debt, it is wise to hire an attorney to represent your case and determine what your options are. In many cases, debtors discover that the statute of limitations has expired, and you may be released of any lawsuits, charges or judgments.
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