Are Debtors’ Prisons Coming Back? (2012)

blogs.wsj.com

9 points·ColinCochrane··5 comments

No they aren't. The article is the epitome of link baiting. People who fail to appear when subpenaed get a bench warrant sworn out on them, then when they do something else wrong and the officer runs a warrants check they can get imprisoned for 'failure to appear.'

Best comment is the one linked to in the article, "When you get summoned by the court, go."

The problem is a bit more nuanced than that. The judge can call contempt even if someone answers the summons, but can not afford the fines or follow court orders due to financial hardship - solely at the Judge's discretion.

The most ridiculous yet iconic example: Man is jailed because he can not afford to sod lawn. Didn't break any laws, just crossed a HOA.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/brown-lawn-means-...

Um, defying a court order is breaking the law. And the Court gave him several chances to correct the situation.

If he can't afford to live where he does, maybe he should sell the house and move.

Yes they are. The linked article is mainly to provide historical background rather than to expose the current trend. This link should be more illuminating: https://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/debtors-prisons

No because it is a horrible idea for a nation in debt to go further in debt to lock up a citizen that is in debt. That would be the exact opposite direction to go to get debt paid.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com