Question
Can I go to jail for not paying a court judgment?
I'm freaking out right now. I'm from massachusetts if that makes any difference. I was sued by a credit card company and ordered to pay $20 on the 28th of each month starting the 28th of september. I was ordered to pay this until the debt was paid in full. My mom told me not to pay it and that I would have the opportunity to go back and plead my case. I really can't afford it. I work at walmart and am very poor and I felt pressured into agreeing to pay the money by a lawyer who didn't care or have the time to talk to me. Now I feel trapped and on the sheet of paper that I signed it says I can go to jail for not paying. I am absolutely freaking out! Is there any way to explain I can't pay and avoid jail? seriously, I don't know what to do, I am losing my mind thinking I could be arrested. I just want some good news. I should say that the 20 a month is going to a law office. The creditor has long since stopped dealing with me. This is one of many debts, none of which I can pay, and it's been three years or more since I touched a credit card.
2 months ago - 6 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
Not jail, it was a civil judgment. But just pay it. They have the judgment, they will ruin your credit (maybe I should say, keep it ruined), and they will garnish your wages.
by Phil
2 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
There are no debtor's prisons in the USA. You can't go to jail.
by zeuz- 2 months ago
How can you get sued and agree to pay a credit card company??? Listen to your Mom, now, how come you have a credit card and can't afford pay 20 dollars a month? How much you pay for the internet and computer you are using? Nothing will happen to you, except for getting bad credit scores.
by FC- 2 months ago
You are not going to jail. Since you stated you work at Walmart I am just going to assume you would be classified as low income. That is defined as at or below the poverty level for your state. If that is the case and you can get back into court in front of a judge the order can be modified. That means the judge can make a new judgment based on your income and assets. You need to get back into court, your mother is correct. Just make sure you take proof of income. Your last two years tax returns and last six to eight weeks of pay stubs so the judge has evidence that you are indeed low income.
by DCK2003- 2 months ago
You can't go to jail but you could possibly loose your job for having a very poor credit history. It doesn't seem to make sense to destroy your credit over $20 per month. Some retail stores will fire employees over not paying their debt since they worry that the person may be desperate and may steal.
by Michael T- 2 months ago
Who made you sign a paper stating you will be thrown in jail for not paying this? If it was the lawyer representing the credit card company this is illegal in so many angles. According the the FDCPA you can not threaten jail time! Do you still have that paper stating this bogus claim, if you do I would seek an consumer rights attorney for a suit against them. If you are in the US you cannot be thrown in jail for not paying your debts.
by bryan l- 2 months ago