Many have argued for years the unfairness of "daddy round-ups" in Child Support Enforcement Cases. What started out as a means to make a non-custodial parent assist financially with a child when the custodial parent files for federal benefits and assistance, has turned into a rotating door of jailhouse sentences for so called "dead beat parents."
One parent, Michael Turner, is fighting a part of this process in the state of South Carolina. Michael Turner has appealed his case to the highest court in the land, the United States Supreme Court. Oral arguments were heard on the case March 23, 2011.
Whether an indigent defendant has a right to court-appointed counsel when faced with being sent to jail for violating a state court order, and whether this is the kind of case that the Supreme Court can consider. Many have previously questioned this right, especially in child support enforcement cases. When a judge holds a person in contempt for disobeying a court order, they do so under the premise of civil guidelines, not criminal guidelines. However, the pay it all or go to jail mentality has caused many parents who are behind on child support payments to GO STRAIGHT TO JAIL, and begs the question of just how the South Carolina Family Court System is differentiating between civil contempt and criminal punishment.
You can find more information on Turner v. Rogers by clicking here. Updates will be posted once the Supreme Court Justices have made a ruling in this matter.
