Sawyer v. District of Columbia

KELLY, Associate Judge:

Appellant was tried 1 and convicted by the court of a violation of Part I, Art. Ill, § 12(b) of the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Regulations of the District of Columbia (jaywalking), 2 and sentenced under Part I, Art. XX, § 158 of the Regulations 3 to pay a fine of $150 or, in default thereof, under D.C.Code, 16-706 (Supp. V, 1966), 4 to serve 60 days in jail. It is appellant’s position that because he is indigent, (1) constitutional requirements of equal protection of the law and restrictions against excessive fines prohibit the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment in…