A “judicially sanctioned extortion racket”

Shelby County, Ala. judge Hub Harrington had some scathing words for the town of Harpersville and a private probation company over “debtors’ prison” treatment of local defendants milked for large fines and fees. [Birmingham News via ABA Journal] More on abusive fine extraction and privatization of law enforcement here, here, etc.

One Comment

  • Extortion is a very correct term for collection efforts on court fines and surcharges. It is like a “debtor’s prison”. None of this garbage meets the bare minimum standards of fairness or justice under our systems.
    James C. Walker, National Motorists Association, Ann Arbor, MI