Can you go to jail for not paying a small claims court ruling?

[Autoclave]

Or will it just ruin your credit?

Thanks!

 

[Douglas]

No. Don't pay with confidence.

 

[Ataturk]

"Can I go to jail for..." questions are best directed to lawyers--from your state, not the internet.

 

[CTGuy]

They can garnish your wages if need be. Just pay it if you lost.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by CTGuy

They can garnish your wages if need be.

Garnish them with what? Rosemary, oregano, thyme? I'm partial to marjoram.

 

[munchausen]

Originally Posted by CTGuy

They can garnish your wages if need be. Just pay it if you lost.

Depends on the state. They can't do that in Texas. Can't put a lien on your dwelling either. Collecting from an individual in Texas is a real *****.

 

[AR_Six]

Yes, but they shouldn't bother. They will either attach your bank account or have someone come and seize and sell your assets until the claim is satisfied, again depending on what methods are available in your jurisdiction.

 

[lawyerdad]

Or you could just suck it up and pay what you owe. Or appeal it, if you so choose (assuming that's an option in your jurisdiction).

Note that in many states, outstanding judgments accrue interest at a pretty significant rate -- say, 10%. So if you just ignore it and it's not satisfied through collection efforts, it's just going to become a bigger and bigger problem over time.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

Or you could just suck it up and pay what you owe. Or appeal it, if you so choose (assuming that's an option in your jurisdiction).

Note that in many states, outstanding judgments accrue interest at a pretty significant rate -- say, 10%. So if you just ignore it and it's not satisfied through collection efforts, it's just going to become a bigger and bigger problem over time.

Lots of states also assess costs and fees expended on efforts to collect too.

 

[CTGuy]

Hey- you get what you pay for in terms of advice. In CT they go after your wages if you don't pay within a certain amount of time. Or as LD said, appeal it if possible.

 

[sho'nuff]

just do the right thing. pay up. be a man.

 

[jmw8652]

i suggest you negotiate with the plaintiff. the plaintiff does not want to chase you. make a reasonable offer and say you will pay up promptly.

 

[munchausen]

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

just do the right thing. pay up. be a man.

No. Run to Mexico, change your name, get plastic surgery. Never look back.