By the Associated Press

Published on nbcnews.com on March 14, 2016

Excerpt:

“WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is discouraging state court systems from jailing defendants who fail to pay fines or fees, warning against practices that it says run afoul of the Constitution and erode community trust.

A letter being sent Monday by the federal government to state court administrators makes clear that judges should consider alternatives to jail for poor defendants who don’t pay their fines.”

Read More:  Justice Department: States Should Not Jail Poor People Over Fine Nonpayment