Filed Date: 2014
Clearinghouse coding in progress
(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.)
This is a case about whether a trial court abused its discretion by holding a criminal defendant in contempt for failure to pay his court fines and fees without inquiring into his ability to pay.
Summary Authors
Hannah Shilling (11/21/2021)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:26 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Fines/Fees/Bail Reform (Criminalization of Poverty)
Key Dates
Filing Date: 2014
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Individual held in contempt and incarcerated for failure to pay fines and fees without any inquiry into his ability to pay.
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Other Dockets:
Pennsylvania state trial court CP-38-CR-0001421-2014
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Case Summary of Commonwealth v. Smetana, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/18592/ (last updated 11/21/2021).