The Kentucky clerk who received worldwide attention after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples has been jailed.

49 year-old, Apostolic Christian Kim Davis, grabbed media spotlight last week when she defied the Supreme Court’s marriage ruling and refused to do her legal duty and issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, acting “under God’s authority”.

Not only will Davis, who is on her fourth marriage, not issue licenses, but she refuses to step down from her position so that someone else might. She cannot be easily fired as she is an elected official, requiring an unlikely act of the Kentucky legislature or criminal conviction.

Judge David Bunning, holding her in contempt of court, offered the woman a chance to avoid jail time if she gave permission to her deputies back in Kentucky to sign the certificates in her stead. After consulting with her attorneys, Davis decided to serve time behind bars instead of going against her religious beliefs.

Her attorneys said that Davis “does not grant her authority nor would allow any employee to issue those licenses.”

Davis testified on Monday in a Federal Court. She said she had prayed over her decision to refuse marriage licenses for gay couples and that she believes she is “upholding the constitution.”

Judge Bunning ruled that Davis would remain in jail until he is assured that his order is being implemented.