A class-action lawsuit that claimed judges in Louisiana's 19th judicial circuit left “innocent people confided in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison simply because they are too poor to pay for their freedom,” has been settled, WAFB reported.
The suit alleged that judges set bail too high for indigent defendants to afford, leaving them locked up for months or even years before trial, the station reported.
“We’re proud of the class representatives in this case, who had the courage to stand up and challenge the status quo,” Eric Foley, a lawyer with the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center, told the Louisiana Record. “Because of their hard work and sacrifice, many others will benefit from the changes to bond-setting practices and procedures in the 19th judicial circuit."
The attorney also thanked the judges in the circuit for "committing to this settlement process and implementing the agreement it produced."
"We look forward to working together with the judges and other stakeholders in the system to implement this agreement,” he said.
Under the settlement, court representatives will meet with defendants to obtain information about income, expenses and other issues that affect the ability to pay bail.
If a defendant is not released on bail, a hearing will be held within 48 hours after arrest to make sure the defendant has a lawyer and to consider lowering the bail amount.
“This is an important step toward downsizing the Baton Rouge jail,” David Utter, a lawyer with the Fair Fight Initiative told the Louisiana Record. “Too many people have died as a result of spending time there, and making sure bonds are affordable and proving non-financial terms of release for people will save lives.”