Dade v. City of Sherwood

In 2016 the ACLU of Arkansas, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Morrison and Foerster law firm filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Sherwood, Pulaski County and Judge Milas Hale III, who presides over the Sherwood court where “hot check” cases are heard.

In 2016 the ACLU of Arkansas, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Morrison and Foerster law firm filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Sherwood, Pulaski County and Judge Milas Hale III, who presides over the Sherwood court where all Pulaski County “hot check” cases are heard.

Status: In November 2017, the civil rights groups announced a settlement under which Sherwood’s “hot check” court will no longer jail people who can’t afford to pay court fines and fees imposed for bouncing a check. Among several broad reforms to Sherwood’s practices, the settlement requires the court to evaluate each defendant’s ability to pay before determining the person’s sentence.