Father Says He Should Have Had Lawyer during Child Support Case

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down the contention of a distraught man this week who believes that all impoverished people should have access to lawyers for civil cases.

The justices voted 5-4 to uphold Michael Turner's appeal. In 2008 Turner was sent to prison for failing to make child support payments to the mother of his daughter. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, three years ago, by family court Judge Tim Cain. The case that Turner presented to the Supreme Court revolved around the fact that he did not have a lawyer when his case was heard, which he believes should be a fundamental right of all Americans.

Although the justices did turn Turner's case, they did implore state officials to make sure that court hearings be "fundamentally fair" when discussing incarceration. When asked to comment on the case, federal-judgeship nominee Cain declined "out of respect for the judicial process."

Anytime you are owed child support, it is important that you discuss your options for collecting payments with a family lawyer.