Nationwide — Irena Green, an African American woman from Tampa, Florida, ended up in jail after a long fight with her homeowners’ association over small issues like brown grass and a dirty mailbox. Despite trying to fix everything, she was arrested over missed court dates and felt treated like a criminal.
It all started last year when Green, who has a 15-year-old daughter, received a notice from her HOA about the brown patches in her lawn. She explained that a big tree in front of her house and a drought with strict watering limits made it hard to keep her grass green. She pointed out that many neighbors had yards in worse shape but weren’t being targeted.
According to the New York Post, the HOA filed a lawsuit when Green failed to respond promptly. She defended herself in court with photos and explanations. None were accepted by the judge.
On July 11, 2024, the judge gave her 30 days to fix everything, including the lawn. Green said she complied, even selling her van and improving her yard.
But she missed her next court date. Green claimed she never received a personal notice and had tried contacting the courthouse to check for updates. Still, the judge held her in contempt and issued a warrant.
She found out about the warrant only when she was pulled over after picking up her daughter. Green was handcuffed and taken to jail with no chance to post bond.
“I couldn’t even go home to my family. I sat in there for seven days. Seven days in the jailhouse like a criminal,” Green said. “It makes me feel horrible. I work hard to buy this home for me and my kids in a better neighborhood and environment, and to be taken to jail and to be treated like that for brown grass at my own home… that’s horrible.”
Her family stepped in, filing for an emergency hearing to get her out. The HOA’s lawyer said she had appeared in court in July and was given a new hearing date for August. But the whole experience left Green shocked and frustrated over how small complaints turned into jail time.