LAWSUIT FILED OVER DRUG FINES

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A class-action lawsuit challenging fines assessed on
simple drug possession cases was filed Friday in Oklahoma County.

The lawsuit alleges the Oklahoma County district attorney illegally
extracts fines from criminal defendants under a statute that does not
allow fines.

Attorney Mike Gassaway said the statute shows the range of punishment
for possession of a controlled dangerous substance does not include a
fine.

Debbie Forshee, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma County district
attorney's office, said attorneys in the office received word of the
lawsuit Friday and have not had the opportunity to look at it and
research the statute.

Gassaway's client, Earl Merritt, 58, was charged in 2003 with a
misdemeanor of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He received
a one-year suspended sentence on both counts and a $200 fine,
according to court records.

The lawsuit alleges officials at the district attorney's office are
imposing fines for the "purposes of greed" and "collection of revenues."