Presumed Guilty?

[Susan Preilipper]

Our county, Lee County, Florida is on the verge of passing an ordinance which allows the county jailhouse to collect a $20 processing fee from each and every person arrested. This is a non-refundable fee, regardless of whether charges are dropped or the alleged offender is found innocent. This seems a gross violations of judicial rights. My specific question is: where would an individual or group address protests-the County Commissioner? Also, if the ordinance is passed, what is the legal process for challenging this ordinance at the Florida Supreme Court Level, if not higher?
Thanks.

 

[ALawyer]

Contact the local chapter of the American Civil Lberties Union, or a nearby law school's legal clinic, or a minority or poverty rights organization, and asked for some assistance. Many would relish an ordinance like that.

Have you asked the County Commissioners if there are any other jurisdictions that have imposed such a "fee", and if so, whether there has been any litigation, and the results of that litigation? Have you pointed out that if there is not any precedent the County likely will be spending 10 times more in litigation to defend the right to collrct the fee than they might ever collect?

It seems bizarre, but you did say you were in Florida and everyone worldwide knows legal matters are a bit bizzare down there....