Privacy   |    Financial   |    Current Events   |    Self Defense   |    Miscellaneous   |    Letters To Editor   |    About Off The Grid News   |    Off The Grid Videos   |    Weekly Radio Show

City Issues Arrest Warrant, Fines Woman $6,000 For Backyard Chickens

City Issues Arrest Warrant, Fines Woman $6,000 For Backyard Chickens

Image source: Pixabay.com

The city of Indio, Calif., forced a woman to pay $6,000 after one of her tenants raised backyard chickens against city code – and most of the money went to a private law firm, Silver & Wright.

The city cited Morales for just $225 but its attorneys charged her $6,000 in court costs and other expenses, according to the Institute for Justice.

Morales’ troubles began because she rented a house to a man who kept chickens in violation of city code.

Get Free Electricity — And Never Be Without Power!

“In 2015, after receiving a pair of confusing warnings, Ramona received a $75 citation in the mail from the city of Indio. It said that a city inspector noticed a chicken in the backyard of a home she rents out,” a press release from the Institute for Justice said. “Rather than resolving the matter administratively—which is commonplace elsewhere—the city and Silver & Wright went directly to criminal court, which meant that Indio police also issued a warrant for Ramona’s arrest.”

Ramona was shocked.

“[She then] went to court, explained that her tenants were confused about the legality of raising chickens in Indio, and ultimately agreed to pay the nominal fine [$75 for each violation plus $75 in court fees]. She thought the ordeal was over, but it was actually just getting started,” the press release said.

About a year later, Ramona received a bill from the law firm for $3,030 in attorney’s fees. The firm even threatened to sell her property if she didn’t pay. She appealed the fees and lost, and then was billed an additional $2,628 for the cost of the appeal.

“In the end, she paid nearly $6,000 in attorney’s fees for a minor infraction of the city code,” the press release said.

The Institute for Justice has filed a class action suit against the city and the law form, alleging the scheme is unconstitutional.

“No one should have a warrant out for their arrest and be forced to pay $6,000 to resolve a simple dispute about a few backyard chickens,” Institute for Justice attorney Jeremy Redfern said.

What is your reaction? Share it in the section below:

© Copyright Off The Grid News
Off The Grid News