Adrian Fowler was a 31-year-old working mother who earns $8.90 per hour at a part-time job. Her monthly income was $712. Between 2008 and 2012, she received three traffic tickets. Fowler’s license was suspended because she was unable to pay the fines and fees imposed, but she was never notified of the suspension. In 2012, she went to renew her license and discovered it was suspended. In the winter of 2013, her daughter developed a fever and she drove through an ice storm to take her to the hospital fearing the emergency vehicle services would take too long to come. On her way to the hospital, a police officer pulled her over. He allowed her to continue to the hospital but still issued a speeding ticket, which cost almost $600.00. Warrants for her arrest were issued because she failed to pay the full amount. She currently owes $2121 – an amount she simply could not afford.
Fowler monthly rent was $850 and had to cover an additional $500 to $600 for utilities, groceries, and other everyday needs for herself and her daughter every month. Her job options were limited because she was forced to take jobs she can get to without driving. She had to turn down a job offer that paid more because, without a driver’s license, she couldn’t reliably get there.
Source: Fowler v. Johnson