Inside New York’s Fight to End Predatory Fees
FFJC’s New York Team is leading a bold, nonpartisan, statewide movement to eliminate the predatory justice system fees that hold people back. Passing the End Predatory Fees Act will move us toward a fairer justice system that serves all New Yorkers.
Our Impact in New York
It’s time for New York to stop balancing its budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.
New York extracts money from people who already struggle to get by, taking from families who are disproportionately policed to boost government profits.
Sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Karines Reyes, the End Predatory Court Fees Act would eliminate harmful fees and stop jailing people over their inability to pay.
Learn How We Can End New York’s Predatory Fees
Miles Gresham, Former Buffalo Public DefenderPeople are literally going without food to pay these unnecessary fines or fees. It creates a burden on not just the guilty party, but also on the families of people who are overpoliced and discriminated against in the first place
New York Can Easily Afford to End Predatory Fees
Our research revealed that eliminating court fees would transform New Yorkers’ lives, while having very little impact on the state’s budget.
Roughly 60% of New Yorkers are unable to afford their basic needs. For New Yorkers living paycheck-to-paycheck, paying just one ticket can mean missing rent, skipping healthcare, or living without basic necessities.
Our analysis of over 450,000 court cases revealed that over 60% of cases carried outstanding court debt — debt that many New Yorkers simply can’t afford to pay.
Eliminating these fees cost less than a penny of every $100 in New York’s budget — just .01% of the $233 billion budget — a small price for life-changing impact.
In 7 years, we helped pass 5 reforms that are expanding justice in New York.
Be Part of What’s Next
Whether you’re an advocate, policymaker, or have been personally impacted, we need you in this fight. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected and help drive change in your community.
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