Group claims fee scheme forces those awaiting trial into poverty

A possible class-action lawsuit filed in federal court against Ravalli County claims that officials there have run what amounts to debtor’s prison that preys on indigent and poor people, making it more likely they’ll reoffend or stay in poverty.

Meanwhile, attorneys for the county say the lawsuit is nothing more than a clever parsing centering on bail, and fees and charges assessed by a jail-diversion program are legal because they are contractual and treat all residents the same, regardless of economic standing...