Is this against the law?

Okay, so my little brother got a call from the court house (im guessing) and they said that he has to go to court and get an attorney, and they said if he doesn't get a lawyer then they're going to charge him with attempting to fraud and put him in jail (he took out a loan from a loan place to get food and to try to save our dying dog, unfortunately there was nothing we could do and she passed away.) and he told them that he doesn't have a job right now (we have been looking for jobs) so he couldn't pay it and cant pay for an attorney and they kept badgering him about paying and stuff..so I was wondering if this was against the law? The loan place has been calling alot and harassing him and its taking a toll on him because he can't pay anything and hes scared he might be put in jail ( hes never been to jail.) and the court house threatened him. Btw we live in Idaho.