ACLU wins lawsuit against Ville Platte over walking curfew

Posted: Jan 17, 2013 1:37 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Jan 17, 2013 1:39 PM

The American Civil Liberties Union has won its lawsuit against the city of Ville Platte for enacting a walking curfew. The curfew made it illegal to walk the streets of Ville Platte after 10 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. The ordinance was in effect from February through October in 2011. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine proposed the curfew after a series of car break-ins.

The ACLU of Louisiana claims the curfew violated constitutional rights and disproportionately affected lower income residents. According to federal court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Lafayette, "any curfew imposed in the future shall be the least restrictive measure necessary to achieve a compelling need of the City of Ville Platte." Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana said, "In a free society people must have the right to move about as they choose.

The consent decree also states the city must pay $16,893.48 in attorney's fees and costs.