It has long been clear that it violates both the United States and the Colorado Constitutions to incarcerate someone for not paying a debt or fine or court costs, unless it is demonstrated by means consistent with due process that the person not paying is able to pay, but is instead willfully defying a court order to make the payments.
Yet, in Colorado Springs, like many municipalities, the constitution is routinely ignored and hundreds of people have had fines converted to jail time when they are unable to pay them. The Colorado ACLU is attempting to change this practice, which it has meticulously documented, in Colorado Springs.
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