Failing to pay child support is a violation of a court order, so the person is jailed on contempt. Ideally judges use their discretion and reserve jail time for those cases where there is evidence of willful violation of the order, hiding money, etc. But there are probably lots of cases where poor people, especially those without access to counsel, are jailed unfairly.
Starting Score: ~500 (12/01/2008)
Because child support is part of a judicial order and not an unsecured obligation like credit cards or personal loans. Even secured creditors are limited to seizure of the asset that secures the loan such as a vehicle or home. Whether they can attempt to collect any remaining balance after the asset is seized and sold is a matter of individual state law.
Although I have never been involved with child support issues a portion of my misspent youth did involve interaction with the judicial system. And judges REALLY don't like it when you flaunt their orders. They call it contempt and use the remedies at their disposal to encourage you to change your ways. I know in California the first step in delinquent child support obligations includes wage garnishment and loss of professional licenses and driving privileges. It takes a while for the judge to determine the only remedy or resource left is incarceration to change your mind.
