Is the legal system backwards?

[red324]

Like they'll throw you in jail in a heartbeat for drugs, but you can owe someone like $20k and not much will really happen if you don't pay. You won't be taken to jail at least. Opinions?

[Chazmatazz269]

Yes, but not by your example. The US used to have debtors’ prisons. As corrupt as the system is now, it was moreso then. Debtors’ prisons were outlawed at the federal level early in the 19th century, and the SCOTUS deemed imprisoning people over unpaid debts unconstitutional 150 years later. It does still happen though, as other respondents have pointed out. Ah, capitalism, where the wealthy get away with almost anything and poor people go to jail literally just because they’re poor. Ell oh ell!
Moreover, our “justice” system routinely lets criminals go free and locks up the innocent. There are at least three states in which killing someone with a gun will all but guarantee you go free without bail. Meanwhile, owning and registering firearms legally and being a law abiding citizen WILL get you locked up, especially if you vote the wrong way.

[RebelinSteel]

Depends on the terms of owing 20k.

If you fail to pay it goes to the small claims court, the court then appoint bailiffs and they will take all possessions required to cover the money owed from auction. This can be a business owing a supplier or between individuals.

[NamerOfStars]

Clearly, you've never had to deal with child support- try not paying THAT and see what "not much will really happen" means. Even if the only reason you couldn't pay was, say, being held in Iraqi prison.

[Avicenna]

Yeah, well, if you owe 20k in child support you might find yourself in jail, but I think you'll agree that we don't want people thrown into jail just because they owe money.

[Avicenna]

And I wouldn't say things like garnishment are "nothing happening"

[red324]

Child support is different. I suppose they'll get their money eventually through liens or collections etc. My point is nobody gets hauled off to jail for owing $20k guilty or not. You see my point? It'd funny how in my opinion the wrong things are enforced or dont have an appropriate punishment

[Avicenna]

As you mentioned, there are tools for dealing with debtors. Wasting time and money jailing them is not necessary or desirable. Same for people who owe child support- are you going to get your money if they're in jail? Of course not.