Allegation: Montgomery, Ala. officials arrest people who are too poor to pay fines and court fees, force them to work to pay off their debt (for example, cleaning cells, police cars and court rooms; watching over suicidal inmates). Illegal peonage? False imprisonment? District court: Could be. The claims against the mayor, police chiefs, and two municipal judges can proceed. Eleventh Circuit: Reversed. Plaintiffs’ complaint doesn’t adequately show how defendants directly furthered the alleged misconduct.
