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