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Ala. City Settles Suits Over Jailing Court Debtors

A state appeals court is refusing to overturn the convictions of eight inmates on Alabama's death row.
A state appeals court is refusing to overturn the convictions of eight inmates on Alabama's death row.

The city of Montgomery is settling lawsuits that accuse it of wrongfully jailing people who can't pay fines.

The Southern Poverty Law Center represents two people involved in the suits and calls the agreement a victory for low-income residents.

The settlement results from lawsuits filed by people who were jailed for accumulating thousands of dollars of unpaid court fines and fees. The suit claims the practice of jailing debtors violates a past Supreme Court ruling.

Court documents show the city will review all cases and follow Supreme Court decisions on the issue.

Poor people will have the option of paying $25 a month or performing community service work.

A federal judge still must approve the settlement.

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