Walker v. City of Calhoun, US DOJ Statement of Interest

In 2015 Walker filed a civil rights action in the N.D. of Georgia alleging the City of Calhoun's use of a bail schedule violated due process and equal protection by setting initial bail amounts without regard to the financial resources of the arrestee. The City held court only once a week, leaving many in jail for a week or more on even minor offenses. While the case was pending the City amended its policies to ensure individuals were brought before a judge within 48 hours of arrest to have their bail reviewed by the court.

Documents

Following the trial court's issuance of a preliminary injunction in favor of Walker, the City appealed. The Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in support of Walker. Ultimately the 11th Circuit vacated the trial court's preliminary injunction.

Following additional litigation, in 2018, the 11th Circuit upheld the City's revised policy providing for a review hearing before a judge within 48 hours of arrest. In 2019 the U.S. Supreme Court denied cert. 

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