News

The Cost We No Longer Pay: How Fines and Fees Reform Delivered Billions in Relief for Families

People living paycheck-to-paycheck and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by criminal justice fines and fees. The consequences for being unable to afford to pay them can be severe and …

How Fines and Fees in the Criminal Legal System Hinder Black Economic Mobility

Through the Black Family Thriving Initiative, Urban Institute seeks to build a deeper, more accurate understanding of what life is really like for Black Americans in the middle class through …

Following the Money of Mass Incarceration 2026

Since 2017, the United States has more than doubled its spending on mass incarceration and criminalization, despite a decline in both incarceration rates and correctional staff. This new Prison Policy …

Diversion Without Debt: Case Studies from Three County Prosecutors Leading Fee Reform

Diversion programs offer an early off-ramp from the criminal legal system, providing accountability while reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety. However, the imposition of diversion program costs and fees undermines …

Ellinburg v. United States

Issue Whether restitution under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act (MVRA) is legally a criminal punishment. Holding Restitution under the MVRA is plainly criminal punishment for purposes of the Ex Post …

State of Iowa v. Pagliai

Issue Whether the parties in a criminal case can, by plea agreement, confer on the district court the authority to order defense counsel reimbursement fees in a dismissed case. Holding …

People v. Kopp

Issue Whether Due Process and Equal Protection forbid a court from ordering payment of any financial obligation without first finding a defendant has an ability to pay. Holding A challenge …

Missing in Actions: How Low Appearance Rates Impact Courts

Missed appearances can have negative consequences for court users, as well as courts themselves. This report identifies four main ways missed court appearances impact court operations: caseflow & workload, staffing, …

Honest History: How Fines and Fees Came to Harm Black Communities in Virginia

This article takes a look at the history of Virginia’s criminal legal system and the racist laws and policies that resulted in unfair treatment and harmful outcomes for Black Virginians. …

San Diego Is Owed More Than $260 Million In Delinquent Parking Tickets And Other Debts. Will It Ever Collect Them?

Though fines are intended to deter unwanted behaviors, many cities use them as a revenue source. For the first time in over 20 years, San Diego raised its parking citation …