Prison for not paying debts in Washington State? (credit, utilities)

[lilysorrow]

1. Does Washington State arrest people for not paying debts, still?

2. Do the debts have to be made specifically in Washington state or can a debt from NY follow someone to Washington State and the debt collector request an arrest?

3. How old can the debts be to get someone arrested is there a statue of limitation?

4. Is there protection for ID theft victims?

I was moving to WA state before I read about debtors prison. I am a victim of severe credit fraud by a step parent. He opened thousands of dollars in utilities, mail order, cell phone, furniture, etc... accounts. I am afraid to move to WA after reading about these things. He resides in NY. I live currently in CA where protections exist I read for debtors.


How frequent are people arrested? What if I moved there and something stupid happens where I cannot pay a cable bill or something stupid and get a collection for $50 or a medical expense that cannot be paid due to an uncovered emergency, how likely is it that someone is arrested?

I'm now terrified to move can someone answer who knows/lives there?

[Hemlock140]

We are one of only 6 states that does provide for arrest when all other means for collection have failed. It's not something that is publicized so I'd have no idea how often. It would be used when someone is sued for a debt in court, and the person does not meet the terms of the judgement. I would guess that is rare since in most cases the court could garish wages or take assets, which does happen a lot.

[Freebird2007]

there would not be enough room if this was law

[sean98125]

You can't be imprisoned for not paying debts, but a creditor can ask a judge to imprison you for failing to appear for hearings.
Any imprisonment seems to be more in line with contempt of court than with any debt issue.

[Ultrarunner]

I remember a case where a person was imprisoned for not paying Federal Income Tax... I think he was a Washington Resident...