A couple of college kids in Pennsylvania refused to pay a mandatory 18-percent gratuity for what they say was lousy service, they were arrested.
It got us thinking if that could happen here, could you be arrested for not tipping after a meal?
It's a debate that's being discussed at Wool Growers restaurant in downtown Bakersfield.
"I would feel really bad to accept a tip if we have rotten service." said Connie Mead, who has worked at the popular basque restaurant for almost a decade.
"I think the restaurant should have taken the gratuity off. The people didn't want to pay it so you don't have to pay it."
But some restaurants make it mandatory.
"It's very simple, if you get good service you leave a tip." said Mayie Maytia, the owner of Wool Growers adding, "If you don't get good service, you should not have to tip."
But can the restaurant force you to pay?
Kern County Deputy District attorney Scott Spielman says yes.
"If you have a situation where it's made clear to the person that they have to pay the gratuity as part of the bill." said Spielman. A patron would be expected to pay the gratuity because they were notified before the meal.
"You were told what the bill was going to be, that's what your bill is going to be."
Spielman says there is a gray area, for him it comes down to an issue of integrity.
"I've never heard of this happening in Kern County, I'd like to think we have real level-headed people here.
We asked the Deputy District Attorney if restaurants should call it a surcharge instead of a gratuity since your obligated to pay it.
He says the restaurant calls it anything they want, but you're going to have to pay it, as long as it's posted on the menu or in the restaurant.
