Class Claims Over Oklahoma’s Collection of Court Debts Revived

A debt collector, and several Oklahoma sheriffs and judges must defend allegations stemming from their efforts to force indigent defendants to pay fines and court costs without an inquiry into their ability to pay, a federal appeals court ruled.

The proposed class action alleges that Aberdeen Enterprises II Inc., a collection company acting on behalf of the courts, hounded the plaintiffs for money, and coerced them into making payments they can’t afford. The plaintiffs allege that the courts failed to hold a hearing to determine their ability to pay.

The US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma erred ...