Cameron v. Bouchard. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., many of us protected ourselves by isolating in our homes. For the millions of people trapped in jails and prisons across the country, this was not an option. Under normal conditions, jails are dangerous and unhealthy places. Overcrowding, unclean spaces, and inadequate access to healthcare make infectious disease spread like wildfire. In response to this public health emergency, Civil Rights Corps, in partnership with a host of other organizations across the country, filed emergency lawsuits nationwide.
Litigation
Post Type Description
Striking Down Unfair Bail Rules in Davidson County Criminal Court
Nashville Community Bail Fund (NCBF) v. Gentry. NCBF is a nonprofit that works to free people who are being jailed pretrial because they cannot afford to pay money bail. NCBF helps reunite families by posting bail. To sustain its operation, the NCBF uses a revolving fund that relies on recovering posted bond money at the conclusion of a participant’s case.
In September 2019, Davidson County Criminal Court revoked NCBF’s exemption from Rule 10(B) that allowed cash bond deposits to be used for fines, court costs, and restitution, no matter who paid the bond. Under this rule if an incarcerated individual did not agree to the potential garnishment, they would not be allowed to post bond. Imposing this garnishment policy on NCBF, also threatened the existence of the organization by preventing it from fully recovering the bonds it posts and replenishing its revolving fund.
Challenging the Money Bail & Pretrial Detention System in St. Louis
Dixon v. City of St. Louis. In 2019, Civil Rights Corps and partners brought a landmark challenge to the money bail and pretrial detention system in St. Louis, Missouri. Our clients and named plaintiffs were all detained in the Workhouse, a local jail in St. Louis with a long history of abusive treatment by guards and inadequate medical care. The case led to dramatic changes in everyday practices, resulting in significant reductions in the jail population. The case was eventually dismissed as moot after local and state officials changed their practices.
Challenging Debtors’ Prison Practices in Jennings
Jenkins v. City of Jennings. In 2016, Civil Rights Corps, in partnership with ArchCity Defenders and the Saint Louis University School of Law Legal Clinics, reached a landmark settlement for impoverished people who were illegally jailed in Jennings, Missouri.