You're correct, the friend had the warranty out for child support, I was in good standing paid up.

The fear was being jailed too long to respond to potential employers so that I could continue to work. Child support agencies are immediately notified if you've been let go and will hound you on a daily basis to find employment, there are no breaks.

Thankfully I'm in a much better position in life, but I know what it's like if you don't have access to capital to hire a good defense attorney who isn't behind the 8-ball like public defenders always find themselves.

You're right! I'm sure many would still view this as an "oh well, your own fault" type of thing though.