Montgomery, Alabama Justices "Pocketing" Fines Case (Telegram)

Press Release
December 17, 1965

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  • Press Releases, Volume 3. Montgomery, Alabama Justices "Pocketing" Fines Case (Telegram), 1965. a8b930c6-b692-ee11-be37-00224827e97b. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/e6a6a733-3d11-432b-86ac-6eda230b352f/montgomery-alabama-justices-pocketing-fines-case-telegram. Accessed May 18, 2025.

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    J _DOMESTIC SERVICE |; WESTERN UNION 
: TELEGRAM 

i 
W. Po MARSHALL. #1 

Lorsve | eo omeon Jn yeas no To THE ACCOUNT 

NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE | 
PAID | [NA Columbus-Circle, N,Y,, N-¥; 

Send the following message, subject t0 the ¢ 

(see attached list) : Decembergay x; #422 

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund lawyers will appear before a 
three-judge federal court in Montgomery, Alabama, Monday (Dec. 20) to argue 
for a motion that could drastically alter the justice of the peace court 
system throughout Alabama. 

The civil rights lawyers will ask the tribunal to enjoin prosecution 
of a Negro before a Lowndes County justice of the peace. The Negro is 
charged with reckless driving. 

The Legal Defense Fund contends that since Alabama justices of the 
peace receive no regular salary, but are paid from fines and costs based 
almost entirely upon convictions, the justices have an interest in 
obtaining Gortictions and the accused party is denied due process of law. 

The motion and complaint are based on a 1962 U.S. Supreme Court 
decision overturning a conviction by an Ohio justice of the peace who 
was similarly paid. 

While not a civil rights matter, a favorable ruling in this case 
could have far-reaching effects on future civil rights prosecutions in 
justice of the peace courts, a Legal Defense Fund spokesman said. 

For further information contact Atty. Solomon Seay or Atty. Melvyn 
Zarr, Montgomery, (205) 263-9360. 

Z_BOMESTIC SERVICE 

sie52"|WESIERN UNION 
TELEGRAM 

st. TELEGRAM "E 
Ma eaMB AAS SNS 2s W. P. MARSHALL, rarsioent 

[[Norwos.-cu.oF sve, | )POuOR COLL [uu gGASHENO. CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT © I Time FLED 

: = NAACP’ LEGAL DEFENSE & ED, FUND, .INC. 
Paid 10 Columbus Circle, NY., N.Y. 

Send the following mesiage, subjeer ro thejseems on hack Kercof, which are hereby agreed to, 

December 17591965 

Edwin K. Wiley, Public 
Information Assistant 

NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND 
EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC. 

10 Columbus Circle, Suite 2030 
New York, New York 
erat JUdson 6-8397 

Home 212) 473-4824

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