Editing Sherwood, Arkansas (section)

=== Debtor's Prison === 
Nikki Petree was released on August 25, 2016, after spending 35 days in county jail for bouncing a $28.93 check five years ago.<ref name="lawsuit">{{cite news | title = Sherwood: City sued over hot-check court | newspaper = Sherwood Voice | last = Lyons | first = John | url = http://www.pulaskinews.net/news/20160825/sherwood--city-sued-over-hot-check-court}}</ref><ref name="huffhotcheck"/> Judge Milas Hale, who is accused of running a modern-day debtors' prison in Sherwood, Ark., sentenced the mother to jail; the Huffington Post<ref name="huffhotcheck">{{Cite news | last = Reilly | first = Ryan | title = This Mom Spent 35 Days In Jail For Bouncing A $29 Check | newspaper = The Huffington Post | date = August 31, 2016 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-mother-was-arrested-seven-times-and-just-spent-35-days-in-jail-because-she-bounced-a-28-check_us_57c46389e4b0cdfc5ac855dd}}</ref> reports Petree has been arrested seven times in connection with that charge and paid at least $640 to the city for the charge. She told the Post she still owes the city $1,300.<ref>{{cite news | last = Preza | first = Elizabeth | title = 35 Days in Jail for Bouncing a $29 Check? No Justice for the 99% | newspaper = Alternet | date = September 1, 2016 | url = http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/ark-woman-spent-35-days-jail-bouncing-29-check}}</ref>

"Every time [I’d] go to jail, they’d let me out immediately for $100,” Petree said in an interview. “They’d turn around and add $600 or $700 more to my bond. I couldn't afford to pay. They cornered me, and there was no way out from underneath it. I felt overwhelmed and hopeless.

Petree said prior to her sentencing, Judge Hale asked Petree how much money she could pay today.  The judge and the city are facing a federal lawsuit over their alleged practice of unconstitutionally jailing defendants who are unable to pay court fines, fees, and costs.<ref name="lawsuit"/>