Civil rights group sues over Oklahoma bail practices

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A civil rights group has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against court officials in central Oklahoma, alleging a county’s bail system is unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma filed the lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in Oklahoma City. It was filed on behalf of six inmates at the Canadian County jail. The lawsuit alleges the county’s bail unconstitutionally discriminates against poor people and those with disabilities. Presiding Canadian County Judge Paul Hesse described many of the suit’s allegations as “patently false” and said he welcomes a federal court review of the county’s bail system.