http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/court_and_probation_company_are_running_extortion_racket_alabama_judge_says/

Depositions indicate that criminal defendants appearing in the Harpersville Municipal Court

“have been subjected to repeated and ongoing violations of almost every safeguard afforded by the United States Constitution, the laws of the State of Alabama, and the Rules of Criminal Procedure,” Harrington wrote in an order (PDF) issued Wednesday.

Harrington temporarily enjoined the city from incarcerating individuals on probation or in post-conviction proceedings unless it first holds a hearing and then obtains his permission. He also said individuals who are convicted must have at least 30 days to pay fines and court costs without being assessed additional fines.

Harrington said the constitutional violations are “so numerous as to defy a detailed chronicling in this short space.”

Defendants are placed on probation with the company, he said, when they are unable to pay the entire amount of assessed fines and court costs on the day of trial. Defendants are…