Should someone go to jail for failing to pay child support?

Answer 1

why not? didnt spend .50 for a condom. thats what happens.....

Answer 2

It depends. Did the person fail to pay because they were out of work and could not pay? Were they out due to a legitimate medical reason? "Child" support payments are usually a lot more than the mother actually spends on the child, why doesn't she have to show receipts that the "child" support was actually spent on the child? Did the father make a reasonable effort to work it out, and the mother just refused? As for putting the father in jail for not paying, what does that solve? He still cannot pay, since he cannot work.

Both parties need to grow up and work together.

Answer 3

Absolutely as long as the time served doesn't lower the amount owed. Perhaps other punishments as well, such as suspended driver's license, a modern day "Scarlet Letter" of some kind that they would have to wear in public that would bring more fines and jail time if they were ever found not wearing it and would let people know they were a dead beat dad. Another fitting punishment, besides garnishing wages, would be a freeze on their credit like is done to countries like North Korea.

Answer 4

No. Jail is to protect society from dangerous people, and shouldn't be too punish. I have six kids. I don't get child support (different fathers too).

Funny you asked this because last weekend my daughter's father got stopped for a loud muffler and they arrested him for not paying child support for X amount of years. But he sees her every weekend and even though he's a jerk they still have a good relationship. (He has a problem with women, not children.) I'm totally against it.

How in the heck are they supposed to pay child support if they're in jail???? It only makes them poorer!!!!! That' just DUMB!!!

Start suspending the "luxuries", hunting licenses, fishing, snowmobiles, etc. Then suspend their drivers' license with a condition they can only drive to work or to see their children.

Garnish their pay. Put them under house arrest except for work and kids. Find employers willing to hire someone and give them a job!

There's a thousand cheaper solutions than increasing taxpayers money by putting people in jail so they get poorer than they are. AND, there's too many times when the HAVE paid child support and have gotten arrested because social services screws up the paperwork!!!

Our legal system needs considerable revamping. There are alternatives to jail. Limit jail for the murderers and rapists.

Answer 5

Yes, stick them in jail ~ the only one that is actually hurting are the kids. For some reason, no one gives that any consideration. Grown ups know better ~ or at least they should. If you hate each other, fine, deal with it. But care for the kids ~ they are innocents.

And this goes for moms, also, who don't pay when they are told to.

Answer 6

in some states, when incarcerated, child support can be suspended, so whats the point?? have the persons check garished for the arrears, as well as the income tax returns. so in all jail doesnt help or solve a thing. i know cuz been there, tried that.

Answer 7

Yes
they helped create the child they should be held responsible for it's care

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

absolutely. I see no reason for a parent to get off with no punishment. If they want their freedom then they need to support their kids.

Answer 10

Yes, he not only broke our laws but he broke gods laws that we should take care of our children, you're pitiful.