§ 20. No imprisonment for non-payment of costs in certain cases. A person shall not be arrested or imprisoned, for the non-payment of costs, awarded otherwise than by a final judgment, or a final order, made in a special proceeding instituted by state writ, except where an attorney, counselor, or other officer of the court, is ordered to pay costs for misconduct as such, or a witness is ordered to pay costs on an attachment for non-attendance.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In N.Y. Civil Rights Law 20

  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.