Child Support
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
I want to bring to light an ongoing issue in this state in regards to non-custodial parents who are behind in child support. This state of Indiana is the only state in the union that I’m aware of that convicts people of a felony crime for being behind on child support. A lot of companies won’t hire you with a felony conviction. A lot of apartments/landlords won’t rent to you with a felony conviction. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a non-violent, non-drug or non-theft related felony.
Also in this state you will lose your driver’s license. The state wants people to pay their support, but how do you get to work or look for work when you don’t have a driver’s license? And the state of Indiana doesn’t care if this country is mired in a deep recession and you have to look further from your home to obtain work.
So if the state wants you to pay child support, then why do they put you in jail and have you sit there for several months at least? An employer isn’t going to hold your job forever. So not only do you lose your wages but your insurance is dropped.
Another thing is that this state has what they call “potential income.” So if you are a welder but can’t find work immediately, and you take a lesser-paying job as a warehouse worker, the state won’t reduce your obligations due to your lower wage because you have the “potential” to make more.
Every person I know in this state who has a child and is behind in support, has a child support withholding notice that employers have to follow. The employer inputs every new employee’s information into the state system. Within a few weeks, child support is being garnished out of their check. Even out of state.
So the question I ask is, who is ultimately being punished within this system in this state? When a person sits in jail or prison, it is the child who suffers. And the other people, including other children, for whom that person provides. And takes you away from your loved ones to a town that you know no one.
Doug North
Rapid City, SD
Sitting in Kosciusko County Jail[[In-content Ad]]
I want to bring to light an ongoing issue in this state in regards to non-custodial parents who are behind in child support. This state of Indiana is the only state in the union that I’m aware of that convicts people of a felony crime for being behind on child support. A lot of companies won’t hire you with a felony conviction. A lot of apartments/landlords won’t rent to you with a felony conviction. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a non-violent, non-drug or non-theft related felony.
Also in this state you will lose your driver’s license. The state wants people to pay their support, but how do you get to work or look for work when you don’t have a driver’s license? And the state of Indiana doesn’t care if this country is mired in a deep recession and you have to look further from your home to obtain work.
So if the state wants you to pay child support, then why do they put you in jail and have you sit there for several months at least? An employer isn’t going to hold your job forever. So not only do you lose your wages but your insurance is dropped.
Another thing is that this state has what they call “potential income.” So if you are a welder but can’t find work immediately, and you take a lesser-paying job as a warehouse worker, the state won’t reduce your obligations due to your lower wage because you have the “potential” to make more.
Every person I know in this state who has a child and is behind in support, has a child support withholding notice that employers have to follow. The employer inputs every new employee’s information into the state system. Within a few weeks, child support is being garnished out of their check. Even out of state.
So the question I ask is, who is ultimately being punished within this system in this state? When a person sits in jail or prison, it is the child who suffers. And the other people, including other children, for whom that person provides. And takes you away from your loved ones to a town that you know no one.
Doug North
Rapid City, SD
Sitting in Kosciusko County Jail[[In-content Ad]]
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