Jailed for $280: The return of debtors' prisons

[saras]

22. As if there's a difference

Not paying fines - that IS nonpayment unless you want to play really stupid semantic games.
Going to court costs money - big money - every time, or you lose unless you're REALLY well trained in everything it takes to be your own lawyer. Typically the poor don't get time off work to do this stuff without being fired, no matter what the rules say.

I've HAD debts in collection, and you tell the debtor that you have no money, document it, and stay in touch once a month until such time as you're making enough money to start making payments. When you're making money, you start making payments. If you finish, cool. If not, let them know, and carry on when you have another job. Anything beyond that - being repeatedly called to court, for example - is unreasonable harassment.