[apocalypstyx]

13th Amendment

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

[thaumasiotes]

I don't think failing to pay a debt is a "crime" under American law.

Edit: reading the article, these people have failed to pay the fines associated with criminal convictions.

[alphabettsy]

People are regularly jailed for civil infractions such as traffic tickets, and failing to pay fines from such infractions.

They are also held on bail when they cannot afford to pay, this is before found guilty of any crime.

[rayiner]

Traffic tickets in many states are criminal violations. Here in Maryland, for example, there are no civil infractions except for automated red light cameras. Even a normal speeding ticket is a misdemeanor criminal conviction.

[whiddershins]

A speeding ticket is a misdemeanor criminal conviction.

This beggars belief. Can you provide sources or citations. Quick googling finds no references to this absolutely implausible scenario.

[rayiner]

https://www.atlantaduilawyer.com/blog/is-a-speeding-ticket-a...