When someone is released from jail - do they still have to pay the debt/fine/etc?

Worztron

This seems to be a bit of a grey area. I got thinking about this after that garlic-tax case whereby he said he'd pay all the tax back but the judge refused.

Can someone clarify these?

If someone cant or refuses to pay a fine and goes to prison - is the fine automatically wiped out?

If someone cant pay for their TV license and goes to prison - do they still have to pay after being released (the TV license for that year anyway)?

If someone goes to jail for tax evasion and is released - do they still have to pay back the tax?

If someone defrauds the state in any way and goes to jail - do they still have to pay back the amount when set free?

grindle

Jesus, just pay the fine.

starch4ser

the next step is they break your legs

Mickey H

Worztron wrote: »

This seems to be a bit of a grey area. Can someone clarify it?

If someone cant or refuses to pay a fine and goes to prison - is the fine automatically wiped out?

As far as I know, once an individual is released from prison, they are square again with the house.

Ghandee

Iirc the fine is/should still be outstanding.

I'm open to correction in this though. (never had the experience thank god)

Knasher

AFAIK yes, and if you refuse you will be back in jail again.

Worztron

Knasher wrote: »

AFAIK yes, and if you refuse you will be back in jail again.

To which point?

lividduck

Ghandee wrote: »

Iirc the fine is/should still be outstanding.

I'm open to correction in this though. (never had the experience thank god)

A person is usually fined with a set prison term in default, that means if you dont pay the fine you go to jail instead.
Not certain what the position is on tax evasion.

Poor Uncle Tom

Mickey H wrote: »

As far as I know, once an individual is released from prison, they are square again with the house.

Jaysus, where were you in jail, Shawshank?

lividduck

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Jaysus, where were you in jail, Shawshank?

Actually that was The Green Mile

Mickey H

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Jaysus, where were you in jail, Shawshank?

Nah, just Mayo! :cool:

lividduck wrote: »

Actually that was The Green Mile

Thanks lividduck, couldn't remember the film.

Poor Uncle Tom

What was the name of the jail in The Green Mile?

Stephen King wrote both books and Frank Darabont directed both films.

Mickey H

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

What was the name of the jail in The Green Mile?

Cold Mountain Penitentiary

Knasher

Worztron wrote: »

To which point?

Sorry should have been clearer. If the court gives both a fine and a jail sentence then when you are released you still have to pay the fine. However, afaik, the fine is what the judge orders you to pay, so it overrides any other debt you owe to the state (I'd imagine it would eclipse it as well).

irishgirl19

no they don't have to pay

djk1000

If it's a fine, the legislation will say what the jail term is for non payment, you do your time and you don't owe the fine anymore (high likelihood of being released by the prison service within hours, they have more serious stuff to deal with).

If you owe a debt and end up in court and the judge orders a payment plan, if you don't keep to it you can go to jail (for being in contempt of a court order). You'll still owe the money when you get out and will go to jail again if you continue to take the piss.

Rawhead

You are given a fine and days to serve e.g. €1000 or 10 days. Everyday would be €100 off your fine. The reality is with the current overcrowding you will be turned around at the gate or just serve a day.
With a debt you will be given a set amount of time in prison, you will serve all the time and then when you are released you will still owe the same amount. The debtor laws are purely punitive and date from Victorian times.