Proceso ante incumplimiento en el pago de multas o costos

Explicación Simple

Si alguien no paga una multa o costo que debe, el tribunal puede pedirle que explique por qué no lo hizo. Si no tiene una buena razón, puede terminar en la cárcel o con una multa adicional.

Es como cuando prometes devolverle a un amigo el dinero que te prestó, pero nunca lo haces. Si tu amigo te llama para preguntarte por qué no has pagado y no tienes una buena excusa, puede que ya no quiera prestarte más dinero.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan recibió una multa por exceso de velocidad y acordó pagarla en tres meses. Al llegar la fecha, no paga y se le cita a una audiencia. Como no presentó una razón válida, el juez decide que debe pasar 30 días en la cárcel por no cumplir.

Penalidades

Posible encarcelamiento de hasta 60 días o multa adicional de hasta $500 por incumplimiento.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-358 - Procedure on default in deferred payment or installment payment of fine, costs, forfeiture, restitution or penalty. A. When an individual obligated to pay a fine, costs, forfeiture, or penalty defaults in the payment or any installment payment, the court upon the motion of the Commonwealth in the case of a conviction of a violation of a state law, or attorney for a locality or for the Commonwealth in the event of a conviction of a violation of a local law or ordinance, or upon its own motion, may require him to show cause why he should not be confined in jail or fined for nonpayment. A show cause proceeding shall not be required prior to issuance of a capias if an order to appear on a date certain in the event of nonpayment was issued pursuant to subsection A of § 19.2-354 and the defendant failed to appear. B. Following the order to show cause or following a capias issued for a defendant's failure to comply with a court order to appear issued pursuant to subsection A of § 19.2-354 , unless the defendant shows that his default for the payment of fines, costs, forfeitures, or penalties was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the sentence of the court, or not attributable to a failure on his part to make a good faith effort to obtain the necessary funds for payment, or unless the defendant shows that any failure to appear was not attributable to an intentional refusal to obey the order of the court, the court may order the defendant confined as for a contempt for a term not to exceed sixty days or impose a fine not to exceed $500. The court may provide in its order that payment or satisfaction of the amounts in default for the payment of fines, costs, forfeitures, or penalties at any time will entitle the defendant to his release from