fighting county "pay to stay" fees

[stevenorquist]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota
I was in the Fillmore county jail and am being charged over $3,400 in "pay to stay" fees. They have a law firm that is being pretty relentless about getting their money. They contact me at work, charge a 6% interest rate, and are threatening to garnish my wages. The statute says that if I can prove that I don't have the money or it will cause a hardship for my family, that they may wave the fee. I have requested a financial review numerous times, however, they refuse. I am a very low income, single dad with 3 children. If it wasn't for programs like the Minnesota family investment program we wouldn't even be making it. I need to know how to get these people in front of a judge. Can I take the county to court based on the fact that they are refusing to do a financial review? How? And can I fight the collector that is trying to garnish my wages? What sort of paperwork do I need to file? Please help.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by stevenorquist

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota
I was in the Fillmore county jail and am being charged over $3,400 in "pay to stay" fees. They have a law firm that is being pretty relentless about getting their money. They contact me at work, charge a 6% interest rate, and are threatening to garnish my wages. The statute says that if I can prove that I don't have the money or it will cause a hardship for my family, that they may wave the fee. I have requested a financial review numerous times, however, they refuse. I am a very low income, single dad with 3 children. If it wasn't for programs like the Minnesota family investment program we wouldn't even be making it. I need to know how to get these people in front of a judge. Can I take the county to court based on the fact that they are refusing to do a financial review? How? And can I fight the collector that is trying to garnish my wages? What sort of paperwork do I need to file? Please help.

Where does the statute say that they MUST waive the fee?