Olney in L.A.
It's not just in Ferguson: traffic tickets and civil rights
The courts are required by law to determine if people fail to pay for traffic tickets and other citations willingly…or because they can't afford it. A new lawsuit alleges that judges don't ask whether people who don't pay are flouting the law or just don't have the money.
By Warren Olney • • 7m ListenThe courts are required by law to determine if people fail to pay for traffic tickets and other citations willingly or because they can't afford it. Gloria Mata Alvarado and Toneshawa Jones lost their driver's licenses when they failed to pay. Now they're suing the court system because they — along with many others — were never asked by judges if they were flouting the law or just didn't have the money. One of their attorneys is Antionette Dozier of the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
Photo: Chris Yarzab
