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Try CasePortal for FreeJ. Southwick remands this challenge to Lafayette Parish’s cash bail requirement for pretrial detainees. The party bringing suit was arrested on a felony-theft charge with bail set at an amount he could not pay. There was no inquiry at first hearing as to whether he could afford the bail, and it was not reduced. No finding was made that pretrial detention was necessary and defendant, who had no counsel, had no opportunity to present or contest evidence. During the pendency of his appeal of the district court’s denial of bail relief, the Fifth Circuit held that district courts must abstain from suits contesting a local jurisdiction’s bail practices when there is an opportunity in state court to present constitutional challenges, which is so in this case. The suit is remanded with instructions to dismiss.