Court Updates Michigan Rules To Curb Pay-Or-Stay Sentences

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court has announced amendments to state rules aimed at keeping people from jail time because they can't pay court fines or fees.

Changes announced Wednesday will take effect Sept. 1, according to The Detroit News. The court says job status, available cash, basic living expenses and other special circumstances can be considered.

Earlier this year, a Detroit-area judge accused of sending poor people to jail if they couldn't immediately pay fines agreed to end so-called pay-or-stay sentences after an American Civil Liberties Union challenge.

The ACLU of Michigan says there's no dispute that sending someone to jail without checking ability to pay is unconstitutional. Nonetheless, it still has occurred in courts around the state.

The state's high court earlier accepted public comment on proposed changes to strengthen the ban.

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