Q: I have been served papers that I missed a court date from a bill collector. Can I go to jail for this?
I'm not working at the present time. My bills have fallen behind.
A:
You can't go to jail for not having the money to pay a bill collector, but you can be arrested for violating a court order. Even if you don't have the money to pay the debt, failing to appear in court is not a good solution.
If you don't understand the paperwork you received, please consider having an attorney review them and explain what is happening and what your options are at this stage.
*David Levin is the Partner in charge of UpRight Law's consumer rights litigation department. UpRight Law is a national law firm with licensed attorneys providing bankruptcy and consumer legal services in all 50 states. He is licensed in Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia, as well as several United States District Courts. He has 22 years of litigation experience, the last 18 of which have been focused on consumer rights litigation. This response is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney licensed in your state with the appropriate expertise.
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