Valley Brook agrees to stop jailing people who can't pay fines, in settlement

VALLEY BROOK, Okla. (KFOR) — A new legal settlement could prevent residents ticketed in the town of Valley Brook from going to jail or worse.

The town of Valley Brook has been accused of ticketing drivers and funneling those who couldn't pay into jail.

A lawsuit against the town was first brought forward by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, sparking a three-year legal battle.

Lisa Swaminathan worked pro bono for people trapped in a system that she compares to a debtor's prison.

"The problem is that you can't incarcerate people simply because they can't pay an assessed cost," said Swaminathan. "The town of Valley Brook was known for operating a speed trap, and when people couldn't pay, the police would then haul them into the county jail."

Swaminathan believes this settlement will bring real change.

"We heard from people that they lost their cars, they lost their homes," said Swaminathan. "The town of Valley Brook acknowledged that that people in this situation have rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma state constitution. Most importantly, they have agreed to have followed the law and have hearings with people."

Swaminathan said the town also agreed to require all current and future officers to take courses on searches and probable cause.

The city must keep track of those sent to county jail and make recordings of court sessions available for five years.

"It is a really big step in the right direction for the rest of the country, because Valley Book is not the only place where this is going on," said Swaminathan.

News 4 did reach out to the town of Valley Brook, but did not hear back.