US borrowers jailed over civil debts as low as $28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Sockpuppet I understand your point, but civil collections is the appropriate remedy to recover a debt. Even jailing indigent debtors for the inability to pay court costs and fines has been unconstitutional for nearly four decades. Bank accounts seizure, automobile seizure, real estate liens, and payroll garnishments are just some of the means available to recover a debt.

These are not court fines. The way I read it, they are court orders to pay the debt for money they stole from others through bounced checks and other scams.

Most petty thieves do not have bank accounts or assets that can be seized to recover small debts. Small claims court is the appropriate way to go after these debts. That's why it exists. The problem is how to get people to pay, even with a court order. I don't think small claims court has the authority to seize assets.

The USA Today article has too much of a liberal spin on the issue and makes it look like the criminals are actually the oppressed victims.

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US borrowers jailed over civil debts as low as $28