http://poorrichardsnews.com/post/73228648685/video-father-sentenced-to-6-months-in-jail-for-paying
From Fox Houston:
Clifford Hall says heâs more than happy to pay child support for his 11-year-old son.
"Iâm his father itâs my responsibility to take care of him," Hall says.
But Hall says when the amount of child support was modified no one told him.
"I discovered for some reason his employer was withholding a large amount some weeks a small amount some weeks a zero amount some weeks," says Hallâs attorney Tyesha Elam.
"I didnât want to go to jail basically," Hall says.
So Hall quickly paid almost 3 grand in back child support.
When Hall and his ex were in Judge Lisa Millardâs court last November he owed nothing.
"Opposing counsel testified twice that heâs all paid up," says Elam.
But the attorney representing the childâs mother wanted Hall to pay her three grand in attorney fees and Judge Millard agreed.
Court documents also reveal Hall wasnât following the courtâs scheduled times to pick his son up for visitation.
Another modification Hall says he knew nothing about.
"The Judge ended up sentencing him to 6 months in jail." Elam says.
"When she said I remand you to the Harris County Jail for 180 days my mouth just dropped," says Hall.
"This entire situation is shocking to me," says community activist Quanell X. "Iâve never seen one like this."
Quanell X wants the stateâs judicial board to investigate.
"The court failed the child," he says. "The court failed Mr. Hall the system broke down."
"Iâm like he couldnât have gotten a worse result," Elam says. "He could have gone in there with a monkey and gotten a better result. What did I do that my client has over paid over visited and is now paying 3 thousand dollars in attorney fees and is going to jail for 6 months."
"I canât be there for my son in jail," Hall says. "I canât pay child support in jail. This is not in the best interest of the child."...
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There is a systematic breakdown of families and fatherhood in the United States, and this story shows how the court system is increasingly a part of the problem.
From Fox Houston:
Clifford Hall says heâs more than happy to pay child support for his 11-year-old son.
"Iâm his father itâs my responsibility to take care of him," Hall says.
But Hall says when the amount of child support was modified no one told him.
"I discovered for some reason his employer was withholding a large amount some weeks a small amount some weeks a zero amount some weeks," says Hallâs attorney Tyesha Elam.
"I didnât want to go to jail basically," Hall says.
So Hall quickly paid almost 3 grand in back child support.
When Hall and his ex were in Judge Lisa Millardâs court last November he owed nothing.
"Opposing counsel testified twice that heâs all paid up," says Elam.
But the attorney representing the childâs mother wanted Hall to pay her three grand in attorney fees and Judge Millard agreed.
Court documents also reveal Hall wasnât following the courtâs scheduled times to pick his son up for visitation.
Another modification Hall says he knew nothing about.
"The Judge ended up sentencing him to 6 months in jail." Elam says.
"When she said I remand you to the Harris County Jail for 180 days my mouth just dropped," says Hall.
"This entire situation is shocking to me," says community activist Quanell X. "Iâve never seen one like this."
Quanell X wants the stateâs judicial board to investigate.
"The court failed the child," he says. "The court failed Mr. Hall the system broke down."
"Iâm like he couldnât have gotten a worse result," Elam says. "He could have gone in there with a monkey and gotten a better result. What did I do that my client has over paid over visited and is now paying 3 thousand dollars in attorney fees and is going to jail for 6 months."
"I canât be there for my son in jail," Hall says. "I canât pay child support in jail. This is not in the best interest of the child."...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a systematic breakdown of families and fatherhood in the United States, and this story shows how the court system is increasingly a part of the problem.
