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Can you go to jail for not paying credit card debt in California?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on January 30, 2026

In other words, you can’t get jail time for not paying your credit card bill, car payment, mortgage, medical bills, or other personal debts. You may also be arrested for failing to pay court fees and fines. When you file a lawsuit or are arrested, you may be required to pay certain fees to the court.

Can a creditor collect after 7 years?

In most states, if the debt is yours, the amount is correct, and the debt collector is entitled to collect, the collector can continue to ask you to pay the debt. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, debts can appear on your credit report generally for seven years and in a few cases, longer than that.

How long can you legally be chased for a debt in California?

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In California, there is generally a four-year limit for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt based on a written agreement.

What is the Statute of limitations on credit card debt in California?

Do Not Sell My Personal Information A statute of limitations is a law that tells you how long someone has to sue you. In California, most credit card companies and their debt collectors have only four years to do so. Once that period elapses, the credit card company or collector loses its right to file a lawsuit against you.

When does Statute of limitations on debt collection end?

Written agreements: 4 years, calculated from the date of breach. Oral agreements: 2 years. The statute of limitation is stopped only if the debtor makes a payment on the account after the expiration of the applicable limitations period.

Is there Statute of limitations on American Express debt?

American Express) that the statute of limitations on an unpaid credit card debt was six years. The Georgia code sets the limit on open-ended accounts at four years, but the appeals court applied the law for written contracts to card debt in this case.

When is a time barred debt no longer collectible?

A “time-barred debt” is a debt that is no longer legally collectible because the statute of limitations has run out on it. It also is the name of the defense you would use if a debt collector tries to sue you after the statute of limitations on your debt has expired. What should I do if I get sued for a time-barred debt?