Civil rights group sues over Oklahoma bail practices

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 late Tuesday in federal court in Oklahoma City. It was filed on behalf of six inmates being held in the Canadian County jail. The lawsuit alleges the county’s bail system routinely jails poor people because they can’t afford bail. It also alleges the system discriminates against people with disabilities. Presiding Canadian County Judge Paul Hesse didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.