ICAP, in partnership with Civil Rights Corps, represents a class of individuals in a federal lawsuit challenging the unconstitutional, wealth-based pretrial detention system in Hamblen County, Tennessee. The lawsuit alleges that the County operates a two-tier system of justice where residents are detained solely because they cannot afford to pay money bail set during ex parte proceedings. According to the complaint, this system led to severe overcrowding and inhumane conditions in the local jail where detainees were often forced to sleep on concrete floors or were shackled to walls due to lack of space.
In early 2025, ICAP and Civil Rights Corp won an important victory in federal court granting summary judgment and enjoining the defendants from jailing any person without a full bail hearing with counsel and consideration of ability to pay.
