body: I was surprised by [this comment on liability](https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/7836/why-may-liability-be-a-hindrance-to-self-driving-cars/7837#comment14818_7838). The context was about self-driving cars, and why it is such a big deal whether the owner/passenger is liable, or the manufacturer, in case both are insured.
  
  
  
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  > Because I can jail whoever is liable, and insurance does not cover in cases of gross misconduct -- so liability matters, and as you point out the product manefactures has liability as well, but that is regardless of the car is driverless or not. – [Soren](https://law.stackexchange.com/users/4059/soren)
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  In what context can Soren *jail whoever is liable*? I thought [debtor's prisons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debtors'_prison) were mostly a thing of the past. Is jailing someone for failing to pay a fee for which s/he is liable still practiced in any country in Europe or North America?
  
  
  *(NB: I do not literally mean that Soren personally jails whoever is liable.)*
  
  
  
title: Can I be jailed for being liable?