New Orleans bail bond companies overcharging defendants, according to SPLC complaint
 

https://media1.fdncms.com/gambit/ima...7095/bonds.jpg
New Orleans bail bond companies have charged defendants illegally high bond rates to get out of jail, according to an investigation by the Southern Poverty Law Center*(SPLC), which revealed roughly $5 million in excessive fees was collected from nearly 50,000 people over 12 years.

The SPLC's announcement was released the same day Orleans Parish Criminal Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell said he plans to cut the hours that his office will process bail bonds, meaning people locked up after office hours will likely remain in jail despite having met the bond set by a judge.
?