Debtors' Prison Bill Passes Committee

Prison Inmate

The House Special Committee on Criminal Justice voted 10-0 to pass HB 192. Sponsored by Rep. Bruce DeGroot (R-Chesterfield), this bill is known as the debtors' prison bill because it ends a practice rampant in rural counties of imprisoning people who can't pay their board bills (cost of room and board in jails). The bill would also end show-cause hearings, which are mandatory hearings where the defendant needs to appear and explain why the judge shouldn't sentence him/her to jail for nonpayment of the board bills. The MCC spoke in support of this bill this week.

Last week the Missouri Supreme Court heard two cases relating to board bills. Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed an amicus brief in support of George Richey, a defendant who was charged with a $3,150 board bill. The high court has not yet issued a ruling in the cases.

February 18, 2019 - 8:24am

Latest Posts

Execution of Missouri Man Delayed

A federal judge has ordered a delay on the execution of Michael Tisius, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 6. The...Read more

June is Sacred Heart of Jesus Month

The month of June is known as the month of the Sacred Heart because the solemnity of the Sacred Heart is celebrated...Read more

Vatican Yearbook Counts Catholics as Over 17% of Global Population

Using statistics reported from the Central Office of Church Statistics , as of the end of 2021, there are more than...Read more

Subscribe to Blog
  •  
  • 1 of 411