Debtors prison is not justice

The ACLU says: “Imprisoning someone because she cannot afford to pay court-imposed fines or fees violates the 14th Amendment.”

I am 72, living on Social Security and a small pension. Although I registered my ‘99 Lexus, and paid the fees, it did not pass the smog test. After numerous repairs, it still would not pass the smog test. So I never received the sticker for my plate.

An officer stopped me and gave me a fix-it ticket to have the car smogged. The ticket cost went up from $25 - to $285 - to a collection agent wanting $600. Broke and frustrated, I sold the car “as is” for much less than it...