St. Louis suburb to pay $3.25 million to thousands subjected to "debtors' prison" scheme
- Maplewood, Missouri will settle a federal lawsuit alleging its unconstitutional jailing of thousands over traffic violations and minor offenses to generate revenue.
- Over 7,000 people spent time in jail unable to pay excessive fines and fees, while over 20,000 paid the city $6.4 million over 10 years.
- The class action lawsuit claimed Maplewood turned its jail into a "debtors' prison" by unlawfully detaining those unable to pay and coercing others into paying despite their inability.
- The settlement will provide millions in refunds to those harmed by the city's "unlawful and unfair practices," according to the plaintiff's legal advocacy organization.