Failing to pay child support is something authorities take very seriously. Whether a person is a celebrity or regular Missouri resident, failing to pay can result in jail time for those who are behind on payments.
An example of this is the fact that former NFL star Jamal Lewis was arrested and booked into jail on Tuesday for supposedly not paying child support. He was released in less than two hours and claims the entire incident is a misunderstanding.
“I have made mistakes in my life, but failing to care for my children is not one of them,” he said about the accusations being made against him.
Going forward, his plan is to work through the proper channels in order to ensure that he will be able to co-parent in order to raise his son.
When looking at what happened, while it is not clear what the supposed misunderstanding was, what is known is that the 32-year-old was arrested and booked a little before 11 p.m. on Tuesday. He is accused of not making contact with his son for more than a year and was charged with child abandonment.
In this case, while Lewis claims the entire incident is some kind of misunderstanding, it’s important to remember that accusations regarding failing to pay child support are ones that should be taken very seriously.
Whether it’s being accused of not making child support payments, or a fear of falling behind on payments due to financial difficulties, an attorney with experience in family law can help to explain different options that may be available.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Former NFL star: Arrest a misunderstanding,” Alexis Stevens, Aug. 2, 2012
- Our firm handles family law issues, including concerns regarding child support. To learn more about our practice, please visit our Missouri Division of Child Support Enforcement page.
