# How does someone pay a fine of a huge amount of money that they'll never be able to repay? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 26, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678 "2021-12-26T19:43:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/1 "2021-12-26T19:43:32Z")
This question was inspired by a news story I saw in which a woman is facing a 20-year prison sentence and $250 million in fines for punching a flight attendant who asked her to wear a mask. Most people don’t have $250 million lying around, and I’m certain _she_ doesn’t. How does it ever get paid? _Does_ it ever get paid? Does the debt go to her descendants when she dies? Does she have to forswear all money for the rest of her life? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/2 "2021-12-26T20:03:55Z")
If you’re going to post something completely unbelievable, maybe link to where you saw it? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/3 "2021-12-26T20:06:02Z")
They’ll get what they can via asset forfeiture and garnishing of pay checks subject to local laws. In some places a primary residence can’t be seized and pensions can’t be garnished. Obviously her descendants aren’t liable for any of it. Anything outstanding when she dies doesn’t get paid. OJ Simpson famously lost a huge settlement. He’s still officially owes most of it. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/4 "2021-12-26T20:06:44Z")
It’s a bit short of that $250,000,000 figure: > **[Californian pleads guilty to punching attendant on flight](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10338341/Californian-pleads-guilty-punching-attendant-flight.html)** > > Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, of Sacramento, could face up to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to punching a flight attendant in the face during a flight in May, breaking her teeth. > Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, of Sacramento, entered a plea to interfering with a flight attendant face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine., the US attorney’s office said. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/5 "2021-12-26T20:10:59Z")
We’ve seen this kind of sloppy reporting before. It’s presumably a category of offense where the range of possible sentences is very wide, so the journalist quotes the top of the range, when in fact there’s no way the actual sentence will be that high. If the possible range for this type of offense is _no_ incarceration to 20 years, you could equally well write a clickbait headline that she “may escape prison time after assault that left flight attendant with broken teeth”. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/6 "2021-12-26T20:12:03Z")
By the way, this is why someone with at least moderate assets should have an umbrella policy. It’s not very expensive and will protect you against stuff like this. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/7 "2021-12-26T20:15:14Z")
The short answer is, typically they are put on a payment plan based on their income and possibly assets. In my state, I believe a person is not required to pay while incarcerated unless it has been shown that they have income or assets to make that possible. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/8 "2021-12-26T20:15:43Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > We’ve seen this kind of sloppy reporting before. Yes, I noted the magic words “up to”. But in addition, someone somewhere apparently threw in an extra three zeroes … $250K, $250 mil – what’s the difference, really? 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/9 "2021-12-26T20:22:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > umbrella policy An umbrella policy protects against liability - but does it also protect against a fine imposed for a crime? I think criminal acts are excluded, not sure though. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/10 "2021-12-26T20:25:05Z")
Nah: > **[What’s Excluded From An Umbrella Insurance Policy?](https://www.insuramatch.com/learning-center/whats-excluded-umbrella-insurance-policy)** [quote]Here’s what umbrella insurance does **not** include: - Your own injuries - Damage to your own personal belongings - Intentional or criminal acts - Property damage or injuries in certain instances, like using uncovered recreational vehicles or uncovered dog breeds - Others’ injuries or damage that your business is liable for Basically, umbrella insurance never covers your own costs. It only helps cover expenses if you are sued for damages and are found at-fault.[/quote] ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/11 "2021-12-26T20:26:16Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > $250K, $250 mil – what’s the difference, really? On the remote chance that this _wasn’t_ rhetorical … $249,750,000 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/12 "2021-12-26T20:31:10Z")
Bitch needs to pay. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/13 "2021-12-26T20:32:49Z")
Some countries, notably Finland, impose fines based on your income. > **[Day-fine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-fine)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > A day-fine, day fine, unit fine or structured fine is a unit of fine payment that, above a minimum fine, is based on the offender's daily personal income. A crime is punished with incarceration for a determined number of days, or with fines. As incarceration is a financial punishment, in the effect of preventing work, a day-fine represents one day incarcerated and without salary. It is argued to be just, because if both high-income and low-income ... > **[Nokia Executive Fined with $103,000 Speeding Ticket](https://www.automotive-fleet.com/10481/nokia-executive-fined-with-103000-speeding-ticket)** > > The car and truck fleet and leasing management magazine's website features blog articles, research, case studies, articles and more. Specialized channels such as fleet news, fleet leasing, safety, fuel and green fleets offer a focus on every aspect... Under a system like this, I guess Elon Musk could get fined $250 million for punching a Finnish flight attendant. That’s why he needs to be careful to keep his wealth as unrealized gains rather than income. And, to be on the safe side, avoid punching Finnish flight attendants. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/14 "2021-12-26T20:40:29Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Intentional or criminal acts So the way I read that, with a criminal conviction not only would the fine not be covered, but if the flight attendant were seriously injured and brought a civil suit for $ millions, that would not be covered either. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/15 "2021-12-26T20:44:35Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > An umbrella policy protects against liability - but does it also protect against a fine imposed for a crime? I think criminal acts are excluded, not sure though. I stand corrected. But still get an umbrella policy. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/16 "2021-12-26T20:45:54Z")
Get an umbrella policy and don’t punch flight attendants seems to be the take-away from this thread. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/17 "2021-12-26T20:50:53Z")
That’s an interesting question. I found another **[umbrella web page](https://matic.com/blog/umbrella-insurance-101/)** that phrases that exception differently: > Liabilities that result from a criminal act or other intentional actions Which would support my assumption (and yours): that a civil suit for damages that arose from a criminal act would _not_ be covered. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/18 "2021-12-26T20:53:29Z")
> How does someone pay a fine of a huge amount of money that they’ll never be able to repay? If it’s anything like the American system of justice, the alternative is 150 years in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/19 "2021-12-26T20:59:13Z")
But then, after they finish their sentence, they don’t have to pay at all? ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678/20 "2021-12-26T22:05:48Z")
No, then they’d pay out of their pocket change. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678.md?page=2)