Clifford Hall, the Texas man who had been jailed for overpaying child support, is now free man, according to his lawyer Tyesha Elam. Hall was released on July 2, after an associate judge suspended his sentence in a routine jail review hearing.
Hall had been held in contempt, even though he overpaid a child support debt that was caused by a clerical error.
Elam says the problem stems from a law passed in June 2013 that repealed protections for parents paying child support who may fall behind. Instead of paying in full to make up for missed payments without a problem, the new statute snags both deadbeat parents, as well as those who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties.
Upon release, the first thing Hall was attempt to make up missed visits with his son by picking up the boy.
However, Hall is still not in the clear. The suspended sentence still means his “crime” is looming above his head, should he do anything to violate the law.