Attorney Fees
Texas Man Gets 30 Days for Not Paying Legal Bill
Posted May 7, 2008, 01:07 pm CDT
By Martha Neil
Individuals can't constitutionally be imprisoned in Texas for failing to pay a debt. But because a legal fee represents more than mere money, a state appeals court has upheld a judge's contempt ruling sentencing a man who didn't pay a $1,750 attorney fee as required by a family violence protective order to 30 days in jail.
Jonathan Skero also failed to comply with the order's requirement that he attend anger management counseling, reports the Southeast Texas Record.
"Attorney's fees are a means of enforcing a legal duty in which the public has an interest, and the fees are not viewed as mere debts or money judgments," explains the 9th District appellate panel in its written opinion.
Related Stories
- ‘Profile’ Investigations By FBI Being Considered at DOJ
Jul 3, 2008, 02:04 pm CDT - Judge v. Judge: Banned Florida Jurist Sues Courthouse Chief
Jul 3, 2008, 01:31 pm CDT - Judge Nixes Execution Date for Longest-Serving Texas Inmate
Jul 3, 2008, 12:35 pm CDT - Texas Judge and Law Prof in Civil Rights Case is Arrested
Jul 3, 2008, 12:10 pm CDT
Commenting has expired on this post.
Comments
Be the first to comment.