Can you be held in contempt of court if you don’t attend a civil hearing?
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Can you be held in contempt of court if you don’t attend a civil hearing?
I received a letter in the mail that a credit card collector is taking me to my city’s district court in a few weeks. I know I won’t be able to pay and I plan to file for bankruptcy in the future. It is a civil case. If I don’t show up, will I be held in contempt/arrested? What could happen?
Asked on June 3, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You can be held in contempt of court when a court issues an order and you do not obey. That has not happened here as of yet so you do not have to worry about that. And so do not worry about the arrest part either. Now, have you been served with a summons and complaint here or just a letter? Once served with the paperwork that they will file in court you have to answer the complaint or they will take a default judgement against you. Once they obtain the judgement then they can execute it in any way allowed under the law. Good luck.
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