Alabama screws the poor, and why it matters (Archibald/al.com)

[eppur_se_muova]

By John Archibald | [e-mail]
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on October 15, 2017 at 6:29 AM

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Reckon, the investigative brand at AL.com, has launched a series of stories on Broken Justice in Alabama, an ongoing effort to examine fairness and punishment in Alabama.

The stories so far have focused on disparities: How felons who should under law be allowed to vote have been disenfranchised because they can't pay court fees; how pre-trial diversion programs can be a harsh gamble, and how a pregnant woman charged with forging a $75 check was kept in jail on a flimsy mat because she could not come up with cash bail.
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Don't screw up. Or you'll pay. And pay and pay.

It's not just Alabama. The national trend in courts is to make defendants pay the costs. But Alabama bought in big. The Legislature cut funding for courts and services, and hiked fees so "users" pay the brunt.
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more: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/10/alabama_screws_the_poor_and_wh.html

[Skittles]

1. it is not just kicking people when they are down

they KEEP ON kicking them - it is very wrong.....how are people expected to make amends or strive to be better citizens if they keep getting kicked

[eppur_se_muova]

2. There's an old joke with the punch line -- "What do ya think I knocked him down for ?"

Repug-run govt's operate the same way. It's the reasoning of bullies.