I'm on unsupervised probation and I have to pay restitution of 800$ and this is my first time ever being in trouble and if I pay at least 75% of it within my due date and still making payments on it will they throw me back in jail if I make an honest attempt to pay it?

Hello red:

Nahhh.

excon

I owed 22,000 from 2 misedemeaners in Iowa 5 years ago, I got max fines, court cost and attorny fee and 2 years probation, I was released from probation and done with case except for money owed, I have paid $50 per month with never missing a month and this last month received a contempt of court hearing because I wouldn't pay more per month (I really can't afford more, not right now anyways), they had sent it to a collection agency and I guess they sent it back with their fee added on to it to make it 25,000+. I can't make the hearing cause I'm in training and when I called them they told me take it or go to jail. How is that possible I already served my sentence? So I can get more than what is allowed by state law on that charge by some loop holes?

Hello it:

Quote:

---

I can't make the hearing cause I'm in training

---

If you DON'T make it, you'll be in jail. To me, staying OUT of the can is more important than training, which would do me absolutely NO GOOD if I'm in jail. But, that's just me.

Look. You're dealing with PO'S, who OF COURSE want you in jail. It does them NO good to be reasonable... So, you need to talk to someone who IS, and that's the JUDGE... But, if all he hears from the PO's is that you WON'T pay, and now you WON'T attend his hearing, he's absolutely going to put you in jail.

In MY opinion, if you present the judge with the facts as you've described them here, he won't do ANYTHING. He may even yell at the PO for harassing you.

Excon

PS> (edited) Besides, after I think about it for a minute, they CAN'T put you in jail anyway, because you're NO LONGER under their supervision.. I can't believe a judge would even schedule a hearing..

PPS>Ok, I see again, that it's a CONTEMPT of court issue, not a violation of probation. Contempt of court is CIVIL. Even if you're FOUND to be in contempt, there's NO jail time associated with it... But, seeing as how you're MAKING payments, it ISN'T even contempt. Contempt would be if you IGNORED the court, and you're doing the opposite.

The only problem is that I just got this job and we moved over 300 miles and this was paid for by the company, its done at end of February, I understand about rather be free than in jail but I can't pay anything without a job, thanks for your input. Also it is the clerk of courts pushing this.

Hello again, lt:

Send the court a certified letter requesting a postponement. There's NO reason why they wouldn't grant it. Or, ask if you can appear telephonically. That's something they might do too.

excon