Decades of Criminal Charges for Unpaid Trash Fees in Alabama County Come to Light
An Alabama woman was handcuffed and jailed for failing to pay a trash bill, a practice that court records show has led to at least 60 criminal prosecutions in Winston County over two decades. The Southern Poverty Law Center has condemned the practice as illegal and immoral. Many residents were arrested for debts ranging from about $100 to more than $2,000.
The prosecutions stem from a county ordinance requiring residents to participate in the trash service. State law technically permits local governments to suspend service or pursue civil recovery, but Winston County officials instead filed criminal complaints against residents with outstanding balances. Court records show at least 60 such cases over two decades, with debts ranging from roughly $100 to over $2,000 including court costs and fees.
The Southern Poverty Law Center argues the practice violates Alabama's constitutional prohibition on imprisonment for debt. Residents who could pay in full typically had charges dismissed, while others entered plea agreements or payment plans. Some faced prosecution multiple times. Benton, a 59-year-old painter and cleaner, spent hours handcuffed awaiting booking before her case was resolved.
This practice could have ripple effects beyond Winston County, as low-income residents across Alabama may face similar criminal enforcement for unpaid sanitation fees, potentially creating cycles of arrest, fines, and court costs that deepen poverty. The case may pressure state lawmakers to clarify whether criminal prosecution is an appropriate tool for debt collection, and could influence how other jurisdictions handle unpaid utility bills. Communities with limited financial resources may be disproportionately affected, raising questions about fairness in local governance and the criminal justice system's role in civil matters.