Class-action lawsuit over inmate rights in Ravalli County goes to trial this week

Class-action lawsuit over inmate rights in Ravalli County goes to trial this week

A jury will consider this week whether Ravalli County is violating the rights of impoverished people who have been arrested and are awaiting trial.  The lawsuit filed in August 2021 on behalf of three indigent participants in Ravalli County’s Jail Diversion Program describes it as “a wealth-based discrimination scheme” that requires pretrial arrestees who are not convicted to pay “exorbitant” fees to get out and stay out of jail, without regard …