An increasing number of debtors are being arrested for debts they owe and cannot pay, according to reports by national news outlets. While debtor’s prisons were abolished in America years ago, it’s still possible to wind up in jail over an unpaid debt. Here’s what you need to know.
- In most cases you cannot be arrested simply because you did not pay a consumer debt.
- Collection threats to arrest you and throw you in jail are usually bogus and illegal.
- However, there are some cases where consumers are arrested over debts. In those cases, it is usually because they have been sued over a debt and have ignored a legal order to appear in court.
If you are sued for a debt and ignore a summons or citation to appear in court, the court may declare you in contempt of court and it is the contempt of court order that may cause you to wind up behind bars.
Warning! In these six states:
- Arkansas,
- Arizona,
- Illinois,
- Indiana,
- Minnesota, and
- Washington State
Debt collectors are allowed to seek arrest warrants for debtors in default if all other collection methods have failed, according to InsideArm.com, a website for the collections industry.
If you live in one of these states and a debt collector is threatening you, get help right away.
Some links on this site are for services for which we may earn a commission. This helps us keep the information on this site free. Also keep in mind this information is educational, and is not a substitute for legal advice.
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Call the Debt Hotline at 1-833-272-3631
If you receive a notice to appear in court over a debt, do not ignore it, even if you don’t recognize the company suing you, or if you know you cannot pay the debt. At a minimum, show up in court to tell the judge your side of the story.
If you do not show up, not only you may be declared in contempt, but also the judge is likely to award whoever sued you with a default judgment against you, which means that you will have to pay the money you were sued for without ever having had the opportunity to explain why you can’t pay for it (or why you don’t owe it).
In addition, by not showing up you will have missed out on the opportunity to try to settle the debt you’ve been sued for outside of court or to negotiate a payment plan. When you resolve your debt that way, the company suing you will drop its lawsuit and you will not end up with a judgment against you.
It is also a good idea to talk with a consumer law attorney to find out if the collection agency’s actions are legal. (Keep reading for information on how to get legal advice.) Other options include negotiating with the collection agency to settle the debt outside of court, or requesting a payment plan.
Again, you typically cannot be arrested for debt you simply can’t pay, unless you ignore orders to appear in court.
Debt Collection Threats To Send Debtors to Jail Are Often Illegal
If a debt collector is threatening to have you arrested because you can’t pay a debt, get help right away from a consumer law attorney. The debt collector is probably violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act by making a threat. Again, it is unlikely that you can be arrested for a debt simply because you can’t afford to pay it.
But that’s no reason for you to ignore such threats either.
Important: It’s another matter if you have been sued and the creditor or collector obtained a judgment from the court that orders you to pay a debt. If you don’t comply with the court order, it’s possible that you could be arrested.
In this situation, we recommend you consult with a bankruptcy attorney right away. Judgment creditors often have additional means for collecting from you that may include taking money from your bank accounts, garnishing wages etc. It is important to get legal advice in that situation.
How to Get Help
If a debt collector is threatening you with arrest:
Contact a consumer law attorney with experience in debt collection cases. Learn how to obtain free legal advice about debt collection here.
Warning: An attorney cannot help you if you are dealing with an online payday lender or debt collection scammer. If you are, your options will be limited since these firms often operate outside the reach of the law.
If you owe a debt but can’t afford to pay it:
Consider scheduling a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. The attorney can explain your options for dealing with your debt and help you figure out if filing for bankruptcy is a good option for you.
Call the Debt Collection Hotline at 1-888-495-0133 for a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney.