Case Against Riverside County's Illegal Collection of Fees Continues
Judge Grants Class Certification
Two grandparents who sued Riverside County for illegally charging and collecting juvenile detention fees will now represent hundreds of Riverside County families in the same situation. The judge in the case certified the class of families on December 10.
National Center for Youth Law and the Western Center on Law and Poverty filed Freeman v. County of Riverside on behalf of these families. For years, Riverside County illegally collected millions of dollars in fees from families who could not afford to pay, which caused significant economic strain and kept families in a cycle of debt.
The lawsuit alleges the County violated state statutes and the state and federal constitutions when it charged and collected fees for children’s time spent in juvenile detention. As such, all fees collected from families should be reimbursed.
We are pleased the judge has recognized that Riverside County’s illegal practices can be challenged by hundreds of impacted families through this lawsuit. We look forward to proving the lawsuit’s allegations and obtaining reimbursement for these families.
