Should You Pay Your Court Fines?

Some celebrities have hearts of gold — and they’re willing to spend some on their fans. Here are some recent examples.

Andrew W.K. — the rock singer-songwriter from California — saw this tweet from a British fan named Luke Mitchell…

Casually driving down the M4 and @AndrewWK new single comes on @DanielPCarter @Radio1RockShow and now I have a speeding ticket. Totally worth it.

— Luke Mitchell (@LGMDrums) January 15, 2018

Apparently, Mitchell got carried away listening to BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show and put too much pedal to the metal. Andrew W.K. (real name Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier) asked how much the ticket was for, then felt bad when he heard the amount…

LUKE: I would like to pay this speeding ticket for you. I was responsible for the sonic party power that caused you to speed.

I'll Direct Message you now to get your information. Please let me do this for you.

— ANDREW W.K. (@AndrewWK) January 15, 2018

By the way, 100 British pounds is nearly $139 in dollars. But that’s nothing compared to what Victoria’s Secret model and John Legend wife Chrissy Teigen has offered to do for a former Olympic gymnast.

McKayla Maroney won multiple medals at the 2012 Olympics in London and was known for the meme “McKayla is not impressed,” which even featured President Obama. But sadly, she was also known for signing a non-disclosure agreement with USA Gymnastics that would fine her $100,000 if she spoke at the sentencing for disgraced team doctor Larry Nassar…

In a suit filed against @USAGym, McKayla Maroney alleges she signed a non-disclosure agreement related to abuse claims against Larry Nassar. https://t.co/avlqMJxGBa

— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) December 20, 2017

So Teigen responded…

The entire principle of this should be fought – an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla. pic.twitter.com/lsBEgEqZpD

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 16, 2018

Thankfully, the public pressure of social media forced USA Gymnastics to declare they wouldn’t enforce the NDA.

What we can learn here

First, if you rack up fines, realize that Twitter isn’t a way to raise the cash.

Second, know this: Most debts can’t land you in jail. For instance, if you don’t pay your credit card bills, you don’t go to prison — although your credit rating can receive a figurative death sentence.

But here’s the thing: Court fines can send you to jail. This is one debt you want to pay off pronto.