Q: Can I be arrested for not paying restitution quickly?
I have two theft cases, one is 13 yrs old and the other 18 yrs. I have paid when I can. The county collections officer wants me to sign a contract to pay or they will arrest me or take my driver's license. Can either of those happen though I am paying on each case, just not what they want me to pay?
A: Payment of restitution can be a condition of probation, and you can be arrested for violating probation by failing to pay restitution. If you were to contest the revocation of probation, the prosecution would need to prove at a hearing to a judge that this was a willful non-payment and you had the ability but chose not to pay in order for the judge to sentence you to jail or prison. You could be arrested with a warrant for violating probation have to post a bond or remain in jail until such a hearing. There are circumstances where an outstanding judgement for restitution could result in your license being suspended.
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