What is happening? 

• In 2018, the case, Daves v. Dallas County was filed and challenged the money bail practices in Dallas County.
• “The case was brought by six plaintiffs whom Dallas County automatically jailed under bail amounts they could not afford.”  - ACLU
• The suit was jointly filed by the ACLU of Texas, the ACLU Criminal Law Reform Project, Civil Rights Corps, and the Texas Fair Defense Project.
• The state decided that Dallas County had violated the Constitution.
• Preliminary junction went into effect in January 2019.
• Dallas County fought this decision — and appealed it to the Fifth Circuit, which covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
• The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision, but Dallas County asked them to hear the case again.
• They heard oral arguments on May 26th, 2021.
• Listen to the full recording here: 
• There is no set deadline for when the court has to make its decision.
• Follow Alec Karakatsanis on Twitter (@equalityAlec) to stay up to date. 

Why is this important? 

Thread: In a little over a week, we will be arguing one of the most important court cases you've never heard of. The case will determine the future of the money bail systems in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. A few thoughts: (1)

— Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) May 14, 2021

Further reading:

• Our interview with Alec Karakatsanis: "Modern-Day Debtors' Prison"
• In partnership with Civil Rights Corps and Zealous, Shedding Light is a growing, digital archive of firsthand accounts from people in jail during the pandemic — many of whom are there due to Texas' laws around pretrial incarceration.