Quote Quoting Edward333
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My question involves civil rights in the State of: Tennessee and US constitution.
I was arrested for 5 misdemeanor traffic infractions. Suspended license, tags, insurance etc.. The maximum allow limit is $1,000 per misdemeanor, bringing total to $5,000 max. 3 of the charges only carry a $50 fine. My bail was set at $50,000, which is 10x the legal limit. TN code also says that people charged on misdemeanors are to be released instead of arrested. I spent 7 days in jail until finally released on pretrial probation. I signed under duress. My question is: Should I sue the court, city, or should I sue them as individuals in federal court?
Judges are absolutely immune from suit for the decisions they make on the bench so you won't get anywhere suing the judge individually. If the court is part of the state court system (e.g. Tennessee criminal court) you'd sue the state. If the court is a city or county court (e.g. General Sessions, Juvenile and Municipal Courts) you likely would need to sue the city or county that provides for that court rather than the state. Consult a local civil litigation attorney who handles civil rights claims for help in getting it right.