Ayo v. Dunn et al
What's at Stake
For years, people arrested in East Baton Rouge Parish who appeared before Judge Trudy White have been jailed unless they pay a $525 fee to a private corporation called Rehabilitation Home Incarceration (“RHI”). This fee is paid by each person for their own pre-trial release. This fee is paid in addition to any bail amount required by the judge as a condition for that person’s release. This has been going on for at least three years in the parish.
Summary
RHI’s involvement in the criminal justice system of East Baton Rouge has turned pre-trial release into a for-profit concern that fuels wealth-based incarceration. This financial burden harms low-income people who have not been convicted of a crime, and violates the U.S. Constitution, federal law, and Louisiana law. On behalf of its plaintiffs, the ACLU, ACLU of Louisiana, and the Southern Poverty Law Center have filed this class action RICO (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Acts) and civil rights lawsuit to protect the due process rights of people in East Baton Rouge and to stop a blatant extortion scheme in the parish.
Legal Documents
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08/08/2017
Ayo v. Dunn - Amended Complaint - Class Action -
09/12/2018
Ayo v. Dunn - Ruling Denying Motion To Dimiss -
06/12/2019
Ayo v. Dunn - Second Amended Complaint Class Action
Date Filed: 08/08/2017
Court: District Court (Middle District of Louisiana)
Affiliate: Louisiana
Date Filed: 09/12/2018
Court: District Court (Middle District of Louisiana)
Affiliate: Louisiana
Date Filed: 06/12/2019
Court: District Court (Middle District of Louisiana)
Affiliate: Louisiana
Press Releases
ACLU and SPLC Sue to End Racketeering Scheme that Forced People Awaiting Trial to Pay Fees to Private Company for Freedom
