South Dakota’s 24-7 sobriety program faces another legal challenge
Lawsuit says poor jailed when they can't afford to participate in program that seeks to divert people from jail
A lawyer for a Pennington County inmate is asking a federal judge for an injunction on Pennington County’s sobriety program, arguing it violates the inmate’s constitutional rights.
Attorney James Leach is seeking a class action on behalf of indigent people in Pennington County who have been arrested because they can’t afford the county’s 24-7 program and are jailed without hearings when they can’t pay the fees.
The lawsuit names Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller, the department’s 24-7 sobriety administrator, Lucas Oyler, and Pennington County as defendants.
Lawsuit challenges 'custom' of jailing people for being poor
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