Black Lives Matter Protestor's Class Action Lawsuit Heard by Federal Appeals Court

Last summer, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter protesters in Winnebago County who were jailed for three days without bond hearings after being arrested at a demonstration on a Friday evening. Their attorneys argued that the lack of weekend and holiday bond hearings in Winnebago County results in unreviewed, extended detentions and violates the Fourth Amendment, and that accused people should be brought to court within 48 hours to be considered for pretrial release. While that lawsuit was dismissed by the lower court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in an appeal on Tuesday December 7th. Eleven member organizations of the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice joined several community organizations from Winnebago County to file an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs and the right to bond hearings within 48 hours of arrest.

Read our full blog post here.