Legislature 2008: Jail Costs

While West Virginia's Supreme Court has ordered Cabell County to pay past-due regional jail fees, as The Associated Press reports, the unanimous justices also urged legislative action on the issue as well.

“The Legislature has imposed upon the county courts ’greater burdens than their revenues justify,”’ this week's ruling said. “That the counties are in need of some form of relief from fully shouldering the costs of the regional jails seems clear.”

Justice Larry Starcher also focuses on possible provisions for lawmakers to consider come January, in his concurring opinion.

Ancil Ramey, a lawyer for Cabell County in the case, tells MetroNews (audio here) "the opinion leaves the door open for the legislature to make a way for Cabell County to avoid paying the amount that it hasn’t paid since 2004.

"I think ultimately everybody can be a winner if the legislature takes a serious look at this," Ramey told MetroNews.