NewsFebruary 3, 2015
St. Louis County municipal courts mull voluntary reform
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis County municipal courts are considering several proposed changes to how they do business amid widespread calls for reform after the fatal Ferguson police shooting. KWMU-FM reported that a committee of judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys working in the county's 82 municipal courts recommends setting consistent fine amounts for identical violations in the local courts...
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis County municipal courts are considering several proposed changes to how they do business amid widespread calls for reform after the fatal Ferguson police shooting.
KWMU-FM reported that a committee of judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys working in the county's 82 municipal courts recommends setting consistent fine amounts for identical violations in the local courts.
The panel also wants to provide defendants who don't qualify for public defenders with free legal advice provided by volunteer lawyers.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
The county's web of municipal courts has come under fire since the August shooting of Michael Brown exposed underlying community tensions.
The state Supreme Court has responded with a new rule that allows poor defendants to pay fines in installments. Missouri lawmakers also are considering additional changes.
-- Information from: KWMU-FM, http://www.kwmu.org
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
